Table of Contents

• Dataset Description
• Data Files
• Parameters
• Instruments
• Deployments
• Project Information
• Program Information
• Funding

Calibration reports for North Atlantic Bloom Experiment 2008 (NAB08) projects, which include cruises, SeaGlider and Float deployments:

• B4-2008
• KN193-03
• B9-2008
• B10-2008
• NAB08 SG140
• NAB08 SG141
• NAB08 SG142
• NAB08 SG143
• NAB08 Lagrangian Float 48 (Biofloat_48)

Contents include:

1. Ship_TS_despiking-NAB08.pdf: Temperature and salinity correction procedure for CTD sensors deployed on cruises KN 193-03, B4-2008, B9-2008 and B10-2008.
2. CTD_float_Calibration-NAB08.pdf: Temperature and salinity correction procedure for CTD sensors deployed aboard NAB08 Lagrangian Float 48 and intercalibration with CTD data from KN193-03 via series of calibration casts.
3. CTD_seaglider_calibration-NAB08.pdf: Temperature and salinity correction procedure for glider datasets NAB08 SG140, NAB08 SG141, NAB08 SG142 and NAB08 SG143 and intercalibration with CTD sensors deployed aboard KN 193-03, B4-2008, B9-2008, B10-2008 via series of calibration casts.
4. Oxygen_glider_float_Calibration-NAB08.pdf: Callibration procedure associated with dissolved oxygen measurements aboard NAB08 SG140, NAB08 SG141, NAB08 SG142 and NAB08 SG143 and further corrections via calibration casts with NAB08 Lagrangian Float 48.
5. Winkler_oxygen-NAB08.pdf: Winkler oxygen measurements of CTD rosette and underway samples during KN193-03.
6. Chlorophyll_Calibration-NAB08.pdf: algorithm development for chlorophyll concentration product using empirical relationship between extracted chlorophyll aboard KN193-03 and concurrent in-situ measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence, temperature, PAR, depth, and time.
7. ISUS_Nitrate_Sensor Float_Calibration-NAB08.pdf: Temperature and salinity depended calibration of the ISUS Nitrate Sensor on Float 48 and intercalibration (via calibration casts) with discrete measurements of nitrate obtained during KN 193-03.
8. Backscatter_Calibration-NAB08.pdf: Processing, correction and intercalibration procedure for backscattering sensors deployed aboard KN 193-03, B4-2008, B9-2008, B10-2008, NAB08 Lagrangian Float 48, NAB08 SG140, NAB08 SG141, NAB08 SG142 and NAB08 SG143.
9. Oxygen_Calibration-NAB08.pdf: Report explaining correction and intercalibration of NAB08 Lagrangian Float 48 and KN 193-03 dissolved oxygen sensors via series of calibration casts using discrete Winkler method measured dissolved oxygen. Addendum to this document describes calibration procedure and resulting correction for KN 193-03 dissolved oxygen sensor.
10. C-Star Calibration-NAB08.pdf: Processing, corrections and intercalibration of beam transmissometers deployed aboard KN 193-03, B4-2008, B9-2008, B10-2008 and NAB08 Lagrangian Float 48.
11. Radiometry_and_PAR_Calibration-NAB08.pdf: Calibrations, intercalibrations and corrections for radiometers deployed aboard NAB08 Lagrangian Float 48, B4-2008, B9-2008, B10-2008 and KN 193-03. [under review]
12. POC_cp_bbp_Calibration-NAB08.pdf: Development of particulate organic carbon (POC) proxy using relationship between POC measured aboard KN193-03 and backscattering (bbp) and attenuation (cp) coefficient measurements. [under review]
13. Seaglider_chl_Calibration.pdf: Correction and intercalibration of chlorophyll fluorometers deployed aboard NAB08 SG140, NAB08 SG141, NAB08 SG142 and NAB08 SG143 via calibration casts. [under review]
14. Laboratory_analysis_report-NAB08.pdf: Detailed procedure regarding the discrete measurements of nutrients, Winkler dissolved oxygen, absorption coefficients, particulate organic carbon, fluorometric and HPLC pigment analysis.
15. Phytoplankton_Carbon-NAB08.pdf: Materials and methodology used for phytoplankton cell number and biomass determination.

NAB2008 was a process experiment designed to study an important component of the oceanic carbon system - the North Atlantic spring bloom. The phytoplankton bloom occurring each spring in the North Atlantic, drives the uptake of carbon dioxide and is an important component of the biological pump (Bagniewski et al., 2010). Previous studies in this region have shown the importance of small temporal and spatial scales, i.e. ecosystem patchiness, during the bloom, but were restricted by the limitations of ship-based sampling. Recent advances in autonomous platforms and sensors presented an opportunity to study this important event in a new way. In addition to deployment of a diverse suite of in situ sampling devices, NAB2008 was also a test-bed for developing the strategies and knowledge needed to successfully use new methods to drive the next generation of ocean observations.

In 2008, a coordinated deployment of 1 float, 4 Seagliders and 2 research vessels sampled the evolution of the North Atlantic spring bloom along and surrounding the nearly Lagrangian path followed by the float. The autonomous measurements were continuous through the experimental period, and included CTD, chlorophyll fluorescence, optical backscatter, and oxygen on all platforms; and nitrate, optical attenuation, and various radiance measurements on the float. Velocities were determined from the vehicle motion, with the float extending to a depth of 230 meters and gliders to 1,000 meters. The autonomous vehicles were deployed, rescued, and recovered on three cruises of the Icelandic vessel Bjarni Saemundsson. A 21-day cruise of the R/V Knorr conducted more detailed measurements during the peak of the bloom in May. The R/V Knorr sampling program included optical profiles, ADCP data and analysis of water samples for nutrients, particulate organic carbon, pigments, micro-plankton composition, complemented by guest investigator analyses. Data from both ships were used to calibrate and validate the autonomous measurements.

References:
Bagniewski, W., Fennel, K., Perry, M. J., and D'Asaro, E. A. (2010) Optimizing models of the North Atlantic spring bloom using physical, chemical and bio-optical observations from a Lagrangian float, Biogeosciences Discuss., 7, pp. 8477-8520, doi:10.5194/bgd-7-8477-2010

NAB08 preprints

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The Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry (OCB) program focuses on the ocean's role as a component of the global Earth system, bringing together research in geochemistry, ocean physics, and ecology that inform on and advance our understanding of ocean biogeochemistry. The overall program goals are to promote, plan, and coordinate collaborative, multidisciplinary research opportunities within the U.S. research community and with international partners. Important OCB-related activities currently include: the Ocean Carbon and Climate Change (OCCC) and the North American Carbon Program (NACP); U.S. contributions to IMBER, SOLAS, CARBOOCEAN; and numerous U.S. single-investigator and medium-size research projects funded by U.S. federal agencies including NASA, NOAA, and NSF.

The scientific mission of OCB is to study the evolving role of the ocean in the global carbon cycle, in the face of environmental variability and change through studies of marine biogeochemical cycles and associated ecosystems.

The overarching OCB science themes include improved understanding and prediction of: 1) oceanic uptake and release of atmospheric CO2 and other greenhouse gases and 2) environmental sensitivities of biogeochemical cycles, marine ecosystems, and interactions between the two.

The OCB Research Priorities (updated January 2012) include: ocean acidification; terrestrial/coastal carbon fluxes and exchanges; climate sensitivities of and change in ecosystem structure and associated impacts on biogeochemical cycles; mesopelagic ecological and biogeochemical interactions; benthic-pelagic feedbacks on biogeochemical cycles; ocean carbon uptake and storage; and expanding low-oxygen conditions in the coastal and open oceans.