Research
Non-belspo (2005-2009)
CARBOOCEAN - Marine carbon sources and sinks assessment
Project description
The CARBOOCEAN Consortium consists of 47 international groups that have started an integrated research activity on the marine carbon cycle by 1 January 2005. The participating countries are Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA.
It is the main task of the CARBOOCEAN Consortium to determine the ocean’s quantitative role for uptake of CO2. This new scientific knowledge is essential to a quantitative risk/uncertainty judgment on the expected consequences of rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Based on this judgment, it will be possible to guide the development of appropriate mitigation actions, such as the management of CO2 emission reductions within a global context (e.g., Kyoto Protocol, 1997).
CARBOOCEAN will determine the ocean’s quantitative role
for uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), the most important
manageable driving agent for climate change. The ocean has the
most significant overall potential as a sink for anthropogenic
CO2. The correct quantification of this sink is a fundamental
necessary condition for all realistic prognostic climate simulations.
CARBOOCEAN will thus create scientific knowledge, which is essential
to a quantitative risk/uncertainty judgment on the expected consequences
of rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Based on this judgment,
it will be possible to guide the development of appropriate mitigation
actions, such as management of CO2 emission reductions within
a global context (e.g., Kyoto Protocol, United Nations, 1997).
CARBOOCEAN combines the key European experts and scientific resources in the field through an integrated research effort. The effort complements other major research programmes on oceanic, atmospheric, and terrestrial carbon cycling and is linked to these programmes. A firm link to the global carbon cycle research community is maintained and extended.
Complementary resources about this scientific project
Project team
Involved research group:
- Christian
Lancelot
Ecologie des Systemes Aquatiques,
Université Libre de Bruxelles - Alberto Borges
Département de Mécanique des Fluides géophysiques
Université de Liège - Lei Chou
Laboratoire d'Océanographie Chimique et Géochimie des Eaux
Université Libre de Bruxelles