Surface Ocean CO₂
Reference Observing Network

Mission

A formalized and coordinated Surface Ocean CO₂ Observing Network (SOCONET), integrated within relevant elements of IOC-UNESCO and WMO, provides high-quality continuous measurements of the surface water and atmospheric CO₂ needed to monitor and predict the ever-changing scales and patterns of the air-sea interactions. The reference quality ocean observational data feeds directly into carbon monitoring systems to aid in accurate and timely assessments of surface ocean carbon levels, carbon uptake by the ocean, carbon exchange with the atmosphere, and changes thereof. A uniquely designed and distributed SOCONET delivers critical information to UNFCCC assessments, Global Greenhouse Gas Watch and other management and policy making bodies and processes.

Goals

SOCONET partners will work collaboratively to develop a coordinated network of national, regional, and private sector operators to constrain the air-sea flux of CO₂ and allow delivery of the surface ocean CO₂ products identified in a co-design process with users and stakeholders. 

Specific initial goals include the following:

• To establish surface ocean CO₂ and marine boundary layer measurement requirements, including reference-level measurements, with the primary objective of delivering sustained, high-quality, and accessible observations. This will include developing and disseminating standard operating procedures and best practices and updating those as needed in order to classify data quality levels.
• To facilitate near-real time network monitoring and reporting including development of targets and performance indicators allowing reporting on status versus implementation needs.
• To facilitate, and coordinate the recruitment of greater and global representation in SOCONET, including determination of minimum requirements for SOCONET participants and coordination of training and capacity building activities as needed.
• To facilitate collection and timely submission of data from SOCONET platforms to the Surface Ocean CO₂ Atlas (SOCAT) data repository and platform metadata through the Joint WMO-IOC in-situ Observations Programmes Support (OceanOPS).
• To facilitate for routine surface ocean CO₂ instrument intercomparison exercises, including for emerging technologies.