Ocean chemistry laboratories collaborate on 14 day voyage to the Southern Ocean

‘This voyage will not only improve the quality and compatibility of the global database but also provide us with a unique opportunity for educational networking and future collaboration.’

Scientists from 14 leading ocean chemistry laboratories are collaborating on a 14-day International Nutrient Intercomparison Voyage (INIV) aboard Australia’s national science agency’s (CSIRO) research vessel Investigator. Said to be a world first, the scientists from 12 countries including Brazil, Canada, China, France and the UK, are collecting data from the Southern Ocean as well as comparing how measurements are made.

The voyage is taking place during winter, which the researchers say is rare due to the extreme conditions. ‘The data collected on this voyage will be important in filling a gap in our records, which will allow researchers to better understand how nutrient levels in the Southern Ocean vary at different times of year,’ said Andreas Marouchos, CSIRO Principal Research Engineer and the voyage’s Chief Scientist.

And they're off! ⛴️

In a world-first voyage to the Southern Ocean on our #RVInvestigator, 14 leading ocean chemistry laboratories from 12 countries will collect important ocean data and compare how ocean measurements are made.#INIV https://t.co/hoWtcEdaYW

— CSIRO (@CSIRO) June 5, 2023

The Southern Ocean is said to be responsible for absorbing about 40% of the carbon dioxide produced by human activities. In addition, its nutrient rich waters support vital ecosystems and productivity. Research will include the use of a ‘Conductivity, Temperature and Depth’ instrument to analyse seawater samples from different depths of the ocean. Deployed at depths up to 6000 metres, the team expects to collect and analyse more than 5000 seawater samples during the trip. Participants will also take part in a series of workshops and presentations to share knowledge. In addition participants will deliver a presentation to school students coinciding with World Ocean Day on 8 June.

Dr Mariko Hatta, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology said: ‘This voyage will not only improve the quality and compatibility of the global database but also provide us with a unique opportunity for educational networking and future collaboration.’

The voyage is supported by a number of organisations including the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research, and the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science.