The Global Ocean Ship-Based Hydrographic Investigations Program (GO-SHIP) has led to major scientific discoveries that advance understanding about the role of oceans’ in various climate-related phenomena. A new report, published in The Annual Review of Marine Science by Lynne Talley et. al., emphasized that GO-SHIP helped highlight the ocean’s role in climate change, carbon cycling, and biogeochemical responses to climate change.
GO-SHIP is a hydrographic decadal data collection program built as a component of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) and Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). Since it is ship-based, GO-SHIP performs 10-year rounds of vital hydrographic areas of the planet and collects data from those sections. Data from GO-SHIP contributed to studies on ocean heat and salinity, ocean circulation, carbon (inorganic and organic), ocean ventilation, oxygen, and nutrients.
The report says that ship-based observing systems are the only mechanisms at the present time capable of obtaining supremely accurate measurements of physical and biogeochemical properties of the ocean. Ship-based hydrography remains the only effective method of collecting high-quality data for the full water column, according to the GO-SHIP website.
According to the report, GO-SHIP analysis concluded that the ocean captures approximately 27 percent of the world’s anthropogenic carbon dioxide output. This not only warms the oceans but also acidifies them, destroying marine habitats and wildlife, and obstructs community access to food and health.
The report recommends the continued prioritization of sustaining ship-based hydrographic observation, especially because of its contributions to understanding the future problems associated with degrading ocean health. Furthermore, the report highlights that GO-SHIP continues to evolve as new technologies are introduced, which will further refine the data collected. By understanding how the oceans respond and react to climate change and anthropogenic actions, GO-SHIP can help communities around the world prepare for future events associated by changes in ocean characteristics.
To see the full report, visit Changes in Ocean Heat, Carbon Content, and Ventilation.
To learn more about GO-SHIP, visit Global Ocean Ship-Based Hydrographic Investigations Program (GO-SHIP)
GO-SHIP has advanced our understanding of the ocean’s role in various climate phenomena, says new report
