Summary
SOCAT version 3 represents a comprehensive, multi-decadal synthesis of quality-controlled surface ocean CO₂ measurements, integrating over 14 million observations from 1957 to 2014 across global coastal and open ocean environments. The atlas incorporates refined quality assurance procedures and novel quality flags for diverse sensor platforms, establishing standardised data infrastructure essential for monitoring ocean carbon cycling. This resource underpins climate science understanding of ocean–atmosphere CO₂ exchange and supports evidence-based climate policy.
UK applicability
UK oceanographers and climate researchers utilise SOCAT data to characterise North Atlantic and coastal waters' carbon dynamics, whilst UK-based policy on maritime carbon budgets and climate commitments depends on such validated observational datasets. The quality-controlled measurements from UK research vessels and buoys contribute directly to this atlas.
Key measures
Surface ocean fCO₂ concentration (µatm); measurement quality flags; spatial and temporal coverage; sensor type validation; data standardisation procedures
Outcomes reported
The study compiled and quality-assured 14.7 million surface ocean fCO₂ (fugacity of carbon dioxide) measurements spanning 1957–2014 from diverse measurement platforms and sensor types. The SOCAT version 3 atlas provides standardised, validated data infrastructure for tracking ocean carbon cycling and informing climate science.
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