CALVI 2009-2011
CALVI 2009-2011
This project contributes to the LEFE/CYBER (INSU) program
Project Leader: Yann Bozec
Continental shelves play a key role in the global cycling of biogeochemically essential elements. Coastal seas act as a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide and coastal ecosystems act as a source of carbon for the open ocean. The concept of the‘‘continental shelf pump’’ has been confirmed for the North Sea (Thomas etal.,2004; Bozec etal.,2005). This concept describes physical or biological mechanisms by which atmospheric CO2 is transported via the continental shelf sea into the deeper adjacent ocean.
Air-sea CO2 flux within coastal areas on continental shelves are rare, especially for such systems as estuary plumes which are sites of vigorous biogeochemical activity through which terrestrial constituents must pass en route to the ocean.
This CALVI project aims at studying air-sea CO2 fluxes between a continental shelf (Channel-North Atlantic)and an estuary plume (Loire).
2010: CO2ARVOR IV, Bay of Biscay/Loire Estuary. R.V. Thalia. (10 days)
2009: CO2ARVOR III, Golf Bay of Biscay/Loire Estuary R.V. Côtes de la Manche. (10 days)
CO2ARVOR II, Bay of Biscay/Loire Estuary R.V. Côtes de la Manche. (10 days)
CO2ARVOR I, Bay of Biscay/Loire Estuary R.V. Thalia. (10 days)