Date: October 30, 2012 Department: SMAST / Administration The
proposed research will employ a combination of models and
observations from ships and satellites to examine linkages
between land and ocean and how these interactions affect the
ocean's ability to take up CO2 from the atmosphere. The project
was one of 62 proposals considered by NASA as part of its Carbon
Monitoring System Science Team, which includes members from
across the country. SMAST Dean Dr. Steven E. Lohrenz will
personally lead the research team, which includes partners from
universities in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and North
Carolina. "The oceans absorb about one third of all the fossil
fuel CO2 emitted into the atmosphere, but the contribution of
coastal waters to this is still very uncertain. Carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere influences climate and can alter the chemistry
of the oceans in ways that may negatively impact marine
organisms, but we simply don't know enough about how CO2 is
being absorbed by the oceans and particularly by