Geotraces

Geotraces is a concerted scientific project of unprecedented scope, whose goal is to study how climate change could affect ocean chemistry. It was launched in 2008 by a worldwide coalition of environmental researchers.

The Geotraces' steering committee is initially led by co-chairs, American chemical oceanographer Robert F. Anderson of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (Columbia University), and English geochemist Gideon M. Henderson of Oxford University.

Genesis

Planning for Geotraces began in 2001. Researchers estimate that at least ten years will be needed, both to collect and analyze ocean samples, and to analyze trends in the data. The first international meetings of concerned scientists occurred in 2003 in Toulouse, France. About 30 countries have participated in planning sessions as of 2008.

Goals of the study

Scientists have identified the need to understand climate change, and espectially its effects on the oceans. They need to generate baseline distributions of several trace elements and their isotopes, so that the effects of human activity on these concentrations can be identified.

Trace elements such as aluminium, manganese, cadmium and neodymium, and stable isotopes such as N(15) and C(13) can indicate their continent of origin. Radioisotopes can be studied to learn the rate of biological decomposition or absorption. When all lines of investigation are integrated, a global picture can be generated.

Initial fieldwork

The present (2008) focus is selecting and calibrating sampling equipment, and working with host nations to assure that all national laws and regulations are complied with.

The first oceangoing effort was in June 2008, when a five-week "intercalibration cruise" near Bermuda was used to perform initial function-test of ship-mounted water sampling equipment.

In early 2008, data (collected from other scientific studies) from the Antarctic Ocean were transmitted to Geotraces researchers, and the database formulation was formally started.

References

* Chemical & Engineering News Vol. 86 No. 35, 1 Sept. 2008, "Geotraces gets going", p. 57