Oceanic Carbon Dioxide Measurements from the 1999 Belgica Bay of Biscay Cruise

Michel Frankignoulle collected 30 measurements each of seawater partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and total inorganic carbon concentration (TCO2) during the Belgica 9919A research cruise. The data were gathered as part of the JGOFS and OMEX programs between August 30 and September 3, 1999. The dataset is provided by the SCIOPS organization.

Use Cases

• Analyze the relationship between computed pCO2 and computed TCO2 measurements across the 30 sampling points.
• Map the spatial distribution of carbon parameters within the +47N to +48N, +7W study area in the Bay of Biscay.
• Use the late-summer 1999 pCO2 data as a baseline for studying seasonal or interannual carbon cycle variability in the North-East Atlantic.
• Correlate the computed pH and alkalinity-derived carbon measurements with other contemporaneous oceanographic data from the JGOFS/OMEX programs.

Strengths

• Precise temporal bounds from August 30 to September 3, 1999.
• Clear spatial coverage defined as +47N to +48N latitude and +7W longitude.
• Contains two distinct, co-located carbon measurement types (pCO2 and TCO2) for 30 points.

Limitations

• Small sample size of only 30 measurement points for each variable.
• Data is over 20 years old, limiting analysis of recent ocean acidification trends.
• Unknown measurement precision, depth profiles, or accompanying metadata like salinity or temperature.

Provenance

Source

Michel Frankignoulle via SCIOPS, hosted on NASA Earthdata.

Collection Method

In-situ measurements computed from pH and alkalinity during a dedicated research cruise.

Time Range

1999-08-30 to 1999-09-03

Freshness

1999-09-03

Geography

Bay of Biscay, North-East Atlantic Ocean (+47N to +48N, +7W).