Project Funding: 2016 - 2019

NRA: 2015 NASA: Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry   

Funded by NASA

Abstract:
The Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry (OCB) Program was created by NSF, NASA, and NOAA in 2006 to promote, plan, and coordinate collaborative, multidisciplinary research opportunities on marine biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem processes within the U.S. and with international partners. OCB leadership consists of a scientific steering committee (SSC); topical subcommittees on ocean acidification, ocean time-series, and ocean fertilization; and the OCB Project Office. OCB supports a network of scientists who work across disciplines such as ocean chemistry, biology, and physics to understand the ocean's role in the global carbon cycle and the response of marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles to environmental change. OCB works with federal agency managers and this continually growing network of scientists to cultivate new research areas and opportunities in the US and with international partners. OCB plays multiple important support roles for its network: Organizes and co-sponsors workshops, short courses, working groups and synthesis activities on emerging research issues; serves as a central information hub (websites, email list, newsletter, social media) to distribute scientific news, opportunities, and research highlights; engages with relevant national and international science planning initiatives; develops education and outreach activities and products with the goal of promoting ocean carbon science to broader audiences; and trains the next generation of ocean scientists and engages early career scientists in OCB activities (travel support, networking, mentoring, professional development). The OCB Project Office coordinates stimulating, high-impact community activities that bring different disciplines together to build communities and advance scientific understanding. Activities proposed here include the annual interdisciplinary summer workshop, we well as community-driven scoping workshops and smaller group activities. To promote cross- fertilization with partner program communities and enhance its community building efforts, OCB will continue to co-sponsor meetings and training activities as appropriate and provide travel support for members of its community to participate in OCB-relevant US and international activities. Through such activities and coordination efforts, OCB provides a unifying framework that brings together otherwise disparate groups of individually funded researchers to address important science questions. Thus far, OCB workshops and activities have provided an effective interdisciplinary model and forum for scientific inquiry and discussion that have yielded numerous benefits to the OCB community, including inspiration for new projects; funding for follow-on activities; manuscripts and special journal volumes; input to US and international science planning; joint activities with partner programs; scientific training opportunities; and education and outreach products and activities. OCB serves in science communication, outreach, and coordination roles that ultimately benefit its entire network, as well as the broader oceanographic community. OCB is a bottom-up organization that responds to the continually evolving research priorities and needs of its network and engages marine scientists at all career stages. OCB will increase access of US-based scientists to satellite remote sensing training opportunities in an effort to expand usage and applications of satellite data in oceanography and build a more knowledgeable user community. To increase the visibility and efficacy of the program, OCB will add much needed staff capacity to assist with workshop coordination and science planning efforts and reinvigorate its communication and outreach efforts through the use of websites, social media, email, and newsletters.

Publications:

Hayes, C. T., Black, E. E., Anderson, R. F., Baskaran, M., Buesseler, K. O., Charette, M. A., Cheng, H., Cochran, J. K., Edwards, R. L., Fitzgerald, P., Lam, P. J., Lu, Y., Morris, S. O., Ohnemus, D. C., Pavia, F. J., Stewart, G., Tang, Y. 2018. Flux of Particulate Elements in the North Atlantic Ocean Constrained by Multiple Radionuclides. Global Biogeochemical Cycles. 32(12), 1738-1758. DOI: 10.1029/2018GB005994

More details may be found in the following project profile(s):

• NASA Ocean Biology & Biogeochemistry (OBB) Project Profile