Autonomously collected pH data from Narragansett Bay in 2022 and 2023

This dataset contains temperature, salinity, DOI, and pH data autonomously collected as part of the study described below. See the "Related Publications" section for discrete data (TA, DIC) from this study.

Study description:

The increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) over the last 200 years has largely been mitigated by the ocean’s function as a carbon sink. However, this continuous absorption of CO2 by seawater triggers ocean acidification (OA), a process in which water becomes more acidic and more depleted in carbonate ions that are essential for calcifiers. OA is well-studied in open ocean environments; however, understanding the unique manifestation of OA in coastal ecosystems presents myriad challenges due to considerable natural variability resulting from concurrent and sometimes opposing coastal processes--e.g. eutrophication, changing hydrological conditions, heterogeneous biological activity, and complex water mass mixing. This study analyzed high temporal resolution pH data collected during 2022 and 2023 from Narragansett Bay, RI--a mid-sized, urban estuary that since 2005 has undergone a 50% reduction in nitrogen loading with weekly, discrete bottle samples to verify sensor data. We used autonomous data for pH, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen from 4 sensors in Narragansett Bay. The autonomous data spanned over a year from 2022 to mid-2023 and had temporal resolutions between 10 and 15 minutes. The data have been subjected to QA/QC protocols, such that all pH measurements are final and quality-controlled. As well, pH values normalized to 15°C (using PyCO2SYS) are included. All pH values are in total scale.

Additionally, data from discrete samples have been provided (see "Related Datasets"). Discrete samples were taken weekly at the Narragansett Bay Long Term Phytoplankton Time Series site and monthly from Greenwich Bay, collocated with 2 of the sensors. Discrete data were analyzed in lab for dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity, and include in situ temperature and salinity.