| Abstract |
The main purpose of this research project is to describe and estimate the
flux of CO2 between the ocean surface and the atmosphere in the Levantine basin
to understand whether this marine area is a CO2 source or sink for the
atmosphere. This information, together with the estimates of terrestrial CO2
exchanges, will contribute to the assessment of the total carbon emissions of
Turkey. Coherent strategies for mitigation actions can then be developed based
on this knowledge.
The research will be carried out in two phases. First, direct measurements
of pCO2 and pH will be collected to assess air-sea CO2 exchange. The
measurements will be collected during an intense field activity in a specific
sub-area of the Levantine Basin (Cilician Basin), during 4 seasonal cruises, in
one year. Automatic-continuous chemical sensor of pCO2 and pH will be used for
this purpose. During the second phase of the project, the data collected during
the field activity will be used to develop a new method to estimate pCO2,
independently from direct in situ measurements. A mathematical algorithm will
be developed based on the empirical relation between temperature, wind,
chlorophyll, and pCO2 in seawater.
The new CO2 estimation method will allow calculating CO2 in seawater on a
much larger temporal and spatial scale in respect to the observational site.
These data in combination with the satellite value of the atmospheric CO2 will
permit to calculate the CO2 fluxes budget, providing a clear quantification of
CO2 emissions/sequestration of the Levantine basin.
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