WCOA

In support of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Acidification (OA) Program, this mission will OA processes along the continental shelf off the Pacific coast of North America. The West Coast Ocean Acidification Cruise is part of the North Atlantic Ocean, East and Gulf Coast ocean acidification observing network. The legislative driver for this effort is the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 (FOARAM) act. NOAA is tasked with establishing a long-term monitoring program of ocean acidification utilizing existing global and national ocean observing assets. The main cruise objectives are: 1) Characterize the status of OA; 2) Carry out calibration measurements in proximity to OA observatories, in particular buoys equipped with OA sensors; 3) Generate calibration data necessary to develop predictive models of aragonite saturation status, pH, and other important OA indicators across the entire extent of the California Current system; 4) Carry out biological measurements (plankton) in conjunction with physical and chemical measurements of OA; 5) Possibly deploy Biochemical Argo Floats in deep waters (more than 2000m deep); and 6) Provide scientific information on the conditions of OA to support decision making and the best management of natural resources