NOAA's National Coral Reef Monitoring Program collects carbonate chemistry data from random and fixed sites across the Atlantic basin to assess spatial and temporal variation in coral reef seawater systems. Data includes parameters like total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon, analyzed by the Atlantic Oceanographic Meteorological Laboratory. Sampling methods range from manual collection by divers to automated subsurface samplers and buoy-based calibration validation.
Use Cases
- Analyze temporal trends in total alkalinity (TA) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) at fixed long-term monitoring sites.
- Calibrate buoy sensor readings for pCO2 and pH using the included CalVal data from the Atlantic Ocean Acidification Test-Bed.
- Compare carbonate system parameters like aragonite saturation state between surface samples collected by divers and subsurface samples from autosamplers.
- Assess spatial variation in carbonate chemistry across the Atlantic basin using data from both random and fixed sampling sites.
Strengths
- Data collected as part of NOAA's ongoing National Coral Reef Monitoring Program, ensuring institutional support and continuity.
- Includes data from multiple sampling methods (manual, autosamplers, buoy CalVal) for methodological comparison.
- Parameters are analyzed by the authoritative Atlantic Oceanographic Meteorological Laboratory (AOML).
Limitations
- Sample size and temporal coverage for specific sites are unknown from the description.
- Potential spatial bias as data is confined to the Atlantic Ocean basin.
- The mix of singular and diurnal sample sets may create inconsistency in temporal resolution.
Provenance
- Source
- NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) with support from NOAA's Ocean Acidification Program (OAP).
- Collection Method
- Water samples collected manually from boats/SCUBA, via subsurface autosamplers, and for buoy calibration; analyzed by AOML for carbonate parameters.
- Time Range
- null
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Atlantic Ocean basin, including sites around the Atlantic Ocean Acidification Test-Bed (AOAT) buoy.