Citizens and scientists collect comparable oceanographic data: measurements of ocean transparency from the Secchi Disk study and science programmes

Marine phytoplankton accounts for approximately 50% of all photosynthesis on Earth, underpins the marine food chain and plays a central role in the Earth’s biogeochemical cycles and climate. In situ measurements of ocean transparency can be used to estimate phytoplankton biomass. The scale and chall...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inScientific reports Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 15499
Main Authors Kirby, Richard R., Beaugrand, Gregory, Kleparski, Loick, Goodall, Susie, Lavender, Samantha
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Nature Publishing Group UK 29.07.2021
Nature Publishing Group
Nature Portfolio
Subjects
704/172/4081
704/829/826
Biogeochemical cycles
Biomass
Climate change
Environmental Sciences
Food chains
Humanities and Social Sciences
In situ measurement
multidisciplinary
Photosynthesis
Phytoplankton
Plankton
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Scientists
Transparency
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Summary:Marine phytoplankton accounts for approximately 50% of all photosynthesis on Earth, underpins the marine food chain and plays a central role in the Earth’s biogeochemical cycles and climate. In situ measurements of ocean transparency can be used to estimate phytoplankton biomass. The scale and challenging conditions of the ocean make it a difficult environment for in situ studies, however. Here, we show that citizen scientists (seafarers) using a simple white Secchi Disk can collect ocean transparency data to complement formal scientific efforts using similar equipment. Citizen scientist data can therefore help understand current climate-driven changes in phytoplankton biomass at a global scale.
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ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-95029-z