A Global Sea Surface Carbon Observing System: Inorganic and Organic Carbon Dynamics in Coastal Oceans

Coastal environments are an important component of the global carbon cycle, and probably more vulnerable than the open oceans to anthropogenic forcings. Due to strong spatail heterogeneity and temporal variability, carbon flows in coastal environments are poorly constrained. Hence, an integrated, international, and interdisciplinary program of ship-based hydrography, Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) lines, time-series moorings, floats. gliders, and autonomous surface vessels with sensors for pCO2 and ancillary variables are recommended to better understand present day cycle dynamics, quantify air sea CO2 fluxes, and determine future long-term trends of CO2 in response to global change forcings in the coastal oceans.