VOS Franklin 90-93: Surface Ocean Carbon and Physical Properties

Surface underway measurements from the research vessel FRANKLIN track carbon dioxide, pH, salinity, temperature, and fluorescence across the Pacific Ocean from 1990 to 1993. The data were collected by CSIRO scientists using a CO2 gas analyzer and other instruments, providing a continuous record of ocean chemistry and physics. This time-series is part of the Ocean Carbon and Acidification Data System (OCADS), focusing on the Bismarck Sea, Coral Sea, North Pacific Ocean, Solomon Sea, and South Pacific Ocean.

Use Cases

• Analyzing trends in ocean acidification based on pH and partial pressure of carbon dioxide measurements.
• Studying air-sea CO2 flux dynamics using surface underway fugacity of carbon dioxide data.
• Correlating biological activity with environmental conditions using fluorescence and sea surface temperature.
• Calibrating or validating regional ocean carbon models with in-situ salinity and temperature records.

Strengths

• Provides a multi-year, continuous time-series from 1990-10-02 to 1993-11-24.
• Includes multiple co-located variables (carbon dioxide, pH, salinity, temperature, fluorescence) for integrated analysis.
• Data originates from a recognized scientific institution (CSIRO) and is part of the NOAA/NCEI-managed OCADS.

Limitations

• Column names and row counts are unspecified, limiting immediate understanding of data structure.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates (2026-03-05 and 1993-11-24) create uncertainty about metadata maintenance.
• License and detailed authorship information are not provided in the available metadata.

Provenance

Source

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), collected by Bronte Tilbrook and Denis Mackey.

Collection Method

Surface underway observations collected from the vessel FRANKLIN using a Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas analyzer and other instruments.

Time Range

1990-10-02 to 1993-11-24

Freshness

2026-03-05 23:30:28.247285

Geography

Bismarck Sea, Coral Sea, North Pacific Ocean, Solomon Sea, South Pacific Ocean