M2 OA Mooring

Interannual variations in the partial pressure in CO₂ (pCO₂) and pH on the southeastern Bering Sea shelf reflect environmental changes that affect this marine ecosystem. It is critical to quantifying and understanding this variability, particularly in a region where a vulnerable fishery exists. The M2 OA mooring will measure the variability in the region, as reflected in ocean temperatures and salinities, and the shelf circulation, to quantify and understand the structure of, and changes in, the southeastern Bering Sea marine ecosystem. By measuring pCO₂ and pH, we are able to more accurately and precisely study the changes associated with ocean acidification. The pH data will be available later in the year when the buoys are serviced.

The mooring program in Alaska has been developed through a consortium of agencies including the National Science Foundation, NOAA, the North Pacific Research Board, and the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS), and is the centerpiece of the research program within the Ocean Acidification Research Center at UAF.

For more information about the first deployment of this buoy visit the AOOS website.

Finalized Data availability: National Centers for Environmental information  NCEI.

Plots of surface water and atmospheric CO₂and surface water pH: (click+drag to zoom)