CARbon Interface OCean Atmosphere - CARIOCA - Iroise, Mediterranean

The observation of the increase in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) content in the atmosphere certainly significantly influenced the emergence of questioning, on the part of both the scientific community and society as a whole, when faced with global and regional climate changes. Within this context, measuring CO2 flow between the ocean and the atmosphere has become a priority for the oceanographic community. This flow has been found to be highly variable in, in both spatial and temporal terms. This means that flows can be measured independently of oceanographic campaigns. Systems have been developed to be used on ships of opportunity or on Lagrangian or Eulerian tracers.

The CARIOCA buoy is automated and designed to measure CO2 concentration at the surface of the ocean in order to qualify the exchanges between the atmosphere and the ocean. The buoy can be either drifting or fixed.

It is 2m high and includes : • 1 salinometer • 1 fluorometer • 1 CO2 sensor • 1 anemometer • 2 temperature sensors (air and sea)

It is also equipped with an ARGOS transition module and an electric supply module which powers the buoy for year, taking measurements every hour.