Equatorial Pacific Calcification Rates from 1992 JGOFS Study

1992 Equatorial Pacific Process Study (EQPAC) measured oceanic calcification rates using particulate inorganic carbon as a proxy. Data originates from four research cruises along 140°W longitude, with measurements taken at stations spanning from 17°S to 12°N latitude. The dataset was collected by the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) and is managed by SCIOPS.

Use Cases

• Model calcite production rates from particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) measurements across latitude gradients.
• Analyze spatial and temporal patterns in calcification using station location (latitude, longitude) and cruise timing data.
• Correlate calcification rates with concurrently measured primary production, chlorophyll, and phaeopigment data.
• Validate carbon cycle models using in-situ carbon-14 incubation and filtration methodology details.

Strengths

• Data collected from 43 distinct station occupations across four dedicated research cruises.
• Provides in-situ measurements using standardized carbon-14 incubation and filtration protocols.
• Covers a significant latitudinal transect from 17°S to 12°N along 140°W.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage is limited to a single year (1992), lacking long-term trends.
• Spatial coverage is restricted to a single longitudinal line (140°W) in the Pacific.
• Sample size for specific cruises is small, e.g., only 5 stations during the fourth cruise.

Provenance

Source

Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) Equatorial Pacific Process Study.

Collection Method

In-situ carbon-14 incubation of water samples collected via trace metal clean rosette, followed by filtration and liquid scintillation counting.

Time Range

1992 (February to October).

Freshness

Historical dataset; last updated in September 1992.

Geography

Equatorial Pacific Ocean along 140°W longitude, from 17°S to 12°N latitude.