Trans Future-5: Underway pCO2 and Sea Surface Measurements Across the Pacific

Surface underway data from the M/S Trans Future 5 captures the air-sea exchange of carbon dioxide across five Pacific Ocean basins over a 13-month period. Measurements include the partial pressure of CO2 in both air and water, alongside sea surface salinity, temperature, and meteorological variables. This dataset was collected using specialized instruments like a CO2 gas analyzer and thermosalinographs, supporting the Ocean Carbon and Acidification Data System.

Use Cases

• Calculating air-sea CO2 flux based on measured pCO2 difference and wind speed.
• Validating satellite-derived sea surface temperature and salinity products with in-situ underway measurements.
• Analyzing seasonal variability of oceanic pCO2 across different Pacific basins from 2018 to 2019.
• Correlating atmospheric conditions (barometric pressure, humidity) with surface ocean carbon parameters.

Strengths

• Covers a specific 13-month time range from 2018-01-27 to 2019-02-16.
• Includes direct measurements of both atmospheric and aquatic pCO2, enabling flux calculations.
• Geographic coverage spans five distinct ocean regions: North Pacific, Philippine Sea, Solomon Sea, South Pacific, and Tasman Sea.

Limitations

• Column names and the total row count are not provided in any source, limiting understanding of data structure.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates (2019-02-16 vs. 2026-03-05) create uncertainty about metadata maintenance.
• License information is absent, restricting clarity on permissible use.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce

Collection Method

Surface underway measurements collected via ship of opportunity (SOOP) using barometric pressure sensors, CO2 gas analyzers, and thermosalinographs.

Time Range

2018-01-27 to 2019-02-16

Freshness

2026-03-05 23:08:10.698748

Geography

North Pacific Ocean, Philippine Sea, Solomon Sea, South Pacific Ocean, Tasman Sea