Free-ocean CO2 enrichment (FOCE) systems: present status and future developments

Free-ocean CO2 enrichment (FOCE) systems aredesigned to assess the impact of ocean acidification on biologicalcommunities in situ for extended periods of time(weeks to months). They overcome some of the drawbacksof laboratory experiments and field observations by enabling(1) precise control of CO2 e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biogeosciences
Main Authors: Gattuso, JP, Kirkwood, W, Barry, JP, Cox, E, Gazeau, F, Hansson, L, Hendriks, I, Kline, DI, Mahacek, P, Martin, S, McElhany, P, Peltzer, ET, Reeve, J, Roberts, D, Saderne, V, Tait, K, Widdicombe, S, Brewer, PG
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Copernicus GmbH 2014
Subjects:
Earth Sciences
Oceanography
Oceanography not elsewhere classified
Asan
Ocean acidification
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-4057-2014
http://ecite.utas.edu.au/100274
Description
Summary:Free-ocean CO2 enrichment (FOCE) systems aredesigned to assess the impact of ocean acidification on biologicalcommunities in situ for extended periods of time(weeks to months). They overcome some of the drawbacksof laboratory experiments and field observations by enabling(1) precise control of CO2 enrichment by monitoring pH asan offset of ambient pH, (2) consideration of indirect effectssuch as those mediated through interspecific relationshipsand food webs, and (3) relatively long experiments withintact communities. Bringing perturbation experiments fromthe laboratory to the field is, however, extremely challenging.The main goal of this paper is to provide guidelines onthe general design, engineering, and sensor options requiredto conduct FOCE experiments. Another goal is to introducexFOCE, a community-led initiative to promote awareness,provide resources for in situ perturbation experiments, andbuild a user community. Present and existing FOCE systemsare briefly described and examples of data collectedpresented. Future developments are also addressed as it isanticipated that the next generation of FOCE systems willinclude, in addition to pH, options for oxygen and/or temperaturecontrol. FOCE systems should become an importantexperimental approach for projecting the future response ofmarine ecosystems to environmental change.

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