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An intercomparison study has been carried out on the analysis of inorganic nutrients at sea following the operation of two nutrient analysers simultaneously on the GO-SHIP A02 trans-Atlantic survey in May 2017. Both instruments were Skalar San ++ Continuous Flow Analyzers, one from the Marine Institute, Ireland and the other from Dalhousie University, Canada, each operated by their own laboratory analysts following GO-SHIP guidelines while adopting their existing laboratory methods. There was high comparability between the two data sets and vertical profiles of nutrients also compared well with those collected in 1997 along the same A02 transect by the World Ocean Circulation Experiment. The largest differences between data sets were observed in the low-nutrient surface waters and results highlight the value of using three reference materials (low, middle and high concentration) to cover the full range of expected nutrients and identify bias and non-linearity in the calibrations. The intercomparison also raised some interesting questions on the comparison of nutrients analysed by different systems and a number of recommendations have been suggested that we feel will enhance the existing GO-SHIP guidelines to improve the comparability of global nutrient data sets. A key recommendation is for the specification of clearly defined data quality objectives for oceanic nutrient measurements and a flagging method for reported data that do not meet these criteria. The A02 nutrient data set is currently available at the National Oceanographic Data Centre of Ireland: 10.20393/CE49BC4C-91CC-41B9-A07F-D4E36B18B26F and 10.20393/EAD02A1F-AAB3-4F4E-AD60-6289B9585531. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inter-comparison study has been carried out on the analysis of inorganic nutrients at sea following the operation of two nutrient analysers simultaneously on the GO-SHIP A02 trans-Atlantic survey in May 2017. Both instruments were Skalar San++ Continuous Flow Analysers, one from the Marine Institute, Ireland and the other from Dalhousie University, Canada, each operated by their own laboratory analysts following GO-SHIP guidelines, while adopting their existing laboratory methods. High quality control of the nutrient analysis was achieved on both instruments and there was high comparability between the two datasets. Vertical profiles of nutrients also compared well with those collected in 1997 along the same A02 transect by the World Ocean Circulation Experiment. The comparison of the two 2017 datasets and individual laboratory methods, did however raise some interesting questions on the comparison of nutrients analysed from different systems, in particular the calibration range of daily standards and its influence on low nutrient samples, and the importance of using certified reference materials of high and low concentrations to identify bias in the data. Based on the results from this inter-comparison, a number of recommendations have been suggested that we feel will enhance the existing GO-SHIP guidelines to improve the comparability of global nutrient datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The accumulation of anthropogenic CO2 in the oceans is altering seawater carbonate chemistry. Investigation and monitoring of the carbonate parameters is therefore necessary to understand potential impacts on ocean ecosystems. Total alkalinity (AT) and dissolved inorganic carbon (CT) were sampled across the Rockall Trough in Feb 2009 (CE0903) and Feb 2010 (CE10002) as part of a baseline study of inorganic carbon chemistry in Irish shelf waters. The results have been compared with data from WOCE surveys A01E (Sept 1991), A01 (Dec 1994), AR24 (Nov 1996) and A24 (June 1997). The 2009 and 2010 datasets provide a snapshot of the biogeochemical parameters which can act as a baseline of inorganic carbon and acidity levels in surface waters of the Rockall Trough in late winter for future comparison since previous surveys in the area have been affected by biological activity. The dataset also offers the possibility to compare decadal changes in subsurface waters. The temporal evolution of anthropogenic carbon (ΔCant) between the 1990s and 2010 was evaluated using two separate methods; (i) a comparison of the concentrations of C T between surveys, after correcting it for remineralisation of organic material and formation and dissolution of calcium carbonate (ΔC T-abio) and (ii) an extended Multiple Linear Regression was used to calculate the ΔCant (). There was an increase in ΔC T-abio and of 18±4μmolkg−1 and 19±4μmolkg−1, respectively, in the subsurface waters between 1991 and 2010, equivalent to a decrease of 0.040±0.003 pH units over the 19 year period. There was an increase in both ΔC T-abio and of 8±4μmolkg−1 in Labrador Sea Water (LSW) in the Trough between 1991 and 2010, and LSW has acidified by 0.029±0.002 pH units over the same time period. A reduction in calcite and aragonite saturation states was observed, which may have implications for calcifying organisms in the region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Direct observations of physical and chemical data in the Rockall Trough during February of 2008, 2009 and 2010 are presented. Results are compared to a similar WOCE transect, AR24, completed in November/December 1996. Temperature and salinity data have been used to identify the water masses present in the Trough, and have been combined with nutrient (nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, silicate) and oxygen data to produce a table outlining the chemical characteristics of each of the water masses. Eastern North Atlantic Water (ENAW) moving north through the Trough gains nutrients from a branch of the North Atlantic Current (NAC). Mediterranean Water (MW) was identified as a warm saline core, with characteristically low oxygen and low preformed nutrients along the Irish continental shelf break near 53°N. Found at a similar density level at the southern entrance to the Trough, Sub Arctic Intermediate Water (SAIW) has relatively high oxygen and preformed nutrients, likely entrained from the subpolar gyre when it was formed. LSW was identified as a prominent water mass between 1500 and 2000m deep, with characteristically high oxygen content. Lower silicate, and to a lesser extent preformed nitrate, in 2009 coincide with a freshening of Labrador Sea Water (LSW) relative to other years, and could indicate a stronger influence from the Labrador Current when it was formed. Finally, traces of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) were found as far north as 53°N, indicated by a sharp increase in nutrient concentrations, particularly silicate in the deepest parts of the Trough. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Shelf seas play an important role in the global carbon cycle, absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and exporting carbon (C) to the open ocean and sediments. The magnitude of these processes is poorly constrained, because observations are typically interpolated over multiple years. Here, we used 298500 observations of CO2 fugacity (fCO2) from a single year (2015), to estimate the net influx of atmospheric CO2 as 26.2 ± 4.7 Tg C yr−1 over the open NW European shelf. CO2 influx from the atmosphere was dominated by influx during winter as a consequence of high winds, despite a smaller, thermally-driven, air-sea fCO2 gradient compared to the larger, biologically-driven summer gradient. In order to understand this climate regulation service, we constructed a carbon-budget supplemented by data from the literature, where the NW European shelf is treated as a box with carbon entering and leaving the box. This budget showed that net C-burial was a small sink of 1.3 ± 3.1 Tg C yr−1, while CO2 efflux from estuaries to the atmosphere, removed the majority of river C-inputs. In contrast, the input from the Baltic Sea likely contributes to net export via the continental shelf pump and advection (34.4 ± 6.0 Tg C yr−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern entrance to the Rockall Trough is subject to a complex set of dynamic processes, influenced by Atlantic gyre interactions, the North Atlantic Current, slope boundary currents, variable wind stress forcing, mesoscale activity, and a changing supply of modified water masses formed elsewhere in the Atlantic. These processes drive large temporal and spatial variations, and mixing of surface and intermediate water mass properties that advect through the Trough and drive variations in the deeper waters circulating around it. Here, we investigate variability across the southern and central Rockall Trough from standard hydrographic sections (2006–2022) and deepwater moored subsurface measurements, to better understand changes in water column characteristics and water mass modification during advection through the Rockall Trough and track the aftermath of recent freshening events. Rapid and longer-term physical changes are assessed along with spatial variability and watermass interaction. Interannual variability is large across intermediate depths, deeper circulations are regenerated and a salinity core associated with the eastern boundary current is detailed. Establishing, maintaining, monitoring and analysis of observational ocean time-series datasets are a fundamental requirement for managing and conserving crucial biological resources and are key to understanding oceanic and earth system change. • In-situ variability in properties is large across timescales in the Rockall Trough. • Considerable homogenisation occurs between the south and mid Rockall Trough. • Climatological sections reveal a salinity core of the Eastern Boundary slope current. • Two fresh pulses of Labrador Sea Water are detailed entering the Rockall Trough. • Remnants of the 2016 freshening event are detected below 800 m in 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]