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Introduction to Field and Laboratory Methods in Marine Carbonate Chemistry

The carbonate chemistry of seawater determines how marine systems interact with the global carbon cycle. Oceans are a major sink for atmospheric CO2: about half of all human emissions have been offset by absorption into the global oceans. Unfortunately, this can also have a negative impact on ecosystems; CO2 uptake leads to a steady decrease in seawater pH (ocean acidification) which can be harmful to certain marine organisms. Increasingly, scientists, engineers, and policy makers have been looking at interventions focused on carbon chemistry. Natural (e.g. restoration of kelp beds or eel grass) and artificial (e.g. alkalinity enhancement) interventions can have the dual benefit of enhancing the marine CO2 sink, while also reducing ocean acidification. But marine carbonate chemistry is complex and challenging to measure properly, making it difficult to assess efficacy and safety.

This course will introduce you to the field, laboratory, and analytical techniques needed to address these problems. Working from BMSC’s fleet of coastal vessels, you will get hands-on experience collecting, handling, and preserving water samples for chemical analysis. In the lab, you will operate state-of-the art instruments for measuring carbonate system parameters. Utilizing data collected from novel sensors deployed at BMSC’s PEARL installation, seawater supply system, and in the surrounding coastal environments, you will learn specific considerations for data quality control and processing. Anticipated guest lectures and tours from BMSC’s partners (e.g. Hakai Institute, Nova Harvest, others) will position the course within the context of aquaculture applications and the emerging marine carbon dioxide removal industry.

Most assessments of human response to climate change acknowledge that we will need to mitigate impacts and actively remove CO2 from the atmosphere to augment emission reductions. Globally, we will be much more effective if we have a specialized “blue carbon” workforce that understands the complexities of the marine carbonate system, and is equipped with the skills to accurately measure and monitor essential variables in our oceans.

 

Technical Skills

  • Collection, handling, and preservation of water samples for chemical analysis
  • Calibration and deployment of modern sensors for ocean chemistry (pH, pCO2, dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity)
  • Laboratory analysis of marine carbonate system chemistry (pH, dissolved inorganic carbon, total alkalinity)
  • Calculation of air-sea carbon exchange/carbon budgets
  • Computer modeling to derive key carbonate system parameters (e.g. carbonate saturation state)

 
General Skills

  • Sampling, organizing, and collecting data
  • Data and statistical analysis
  • Assessment of error/uncertainty in lab and field data
  • Working in small collaborative groups, presenting results in written and oral formats)

 
Boat Use
You will be given the opportunity to drive boats if you choose to do so. Boat driving is optional for Introduction to Field and Laboratory Methods in Marine Carbonate Chemistry. Students who wish to drive boats at BMSC must hold a PCOC and valid first aid certificate and will participate in an introductory boat check-out on the first day of orientation.
 
Prerequisites
Students must have completed an introductory chemistry course with a laboratory component. Completion of introductory course(s) in geology, geography, and/or earth sciences is strongly recommended.
 
Physical requirements
Field and laboratory work may involve some or all of the following: walking and climbing on rocky shorelines, boarding and disembarking high-freeboard boats, working on small and medium sized boats in coastal waters in all weather, and repetitive movements.
 
Required Text
TBD
 

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Registration Details

University of Victoria:
Course Code TBD
Credit – 1.5 units

CRN #TBA

University of British Columbia
Course Code TBD
Credit – 3 units

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Simon Fraser University
Course Code TBD
Credit – 3 units

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University of Calgary:
Course Code TBD
Credit – 3 units

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University of Alberta:
Course Code TBD
Credit – 3 units

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