Summary
This paper presents SOCONET, an international operational network for standardised measurement of CO2 in surface oceans and marine boundary layers using ships and buoys. The network establishes rigorous calibration, quality control and intercomparison procedures to deliver accurate pCO2 and atmospheric CO2 data to the scientific community within one year, enabling production of high-value products such as air-sea CO2 flux maps and ocean pH assessments. These standardised measurements are intended to support policy decisions regarding ocean carbon sequestration and the impacts of ocean acidification on marine health.
UK applicability
UK researchers and policymakers can access standardised, quality-controlled CO2 measurements relevant to UK territorial waters and the North Atlantic through SOCONET's global network and partnerships with regional coastal networks. The derived products (air-sea CO2 flux maps, pH assessments) are applicable to UK climate policy and marine management decisions regarding carbon sequestration and ocean acidification mitigation.
Key measures
Surface ocean pCO2 (accurate to within 2 µatm); marine boundary layer CO2 (accurate to within 0.2 ppm); monthly-resolved surface ocean CO2 maps; air-sea CO2 flux measurements; surface ocean pH maps
Outcomes reported
The paper describes the operational framework, measurement protocols, and quality assurance procedures for SOCONET, a global network measuring surface ocean and atmospheric marine boundary layer CO2 concentrations. It establishes standardised accuracy targets and procedures for near real-time data tracking and community access to quality-controlled CO2 measurements.
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