Role of dynamics and biological processes on the CO2 balance in the southern Atlantic and Austral Oceans.

Title: Role of dynamics and biological processes on the CO2 balance in
the southern Atlantic and Austral Oceans: A biological approximation
to the different trophic regimes and phytoplankton communities.

The main goal of this project, which is a joint venture between the
Instituto Antartico Argentino and the Servicio de Hidrografia Naval
Argentina and the Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie Marines, Paris,
France, is to determine in a long term program the role of the
Southern Ocean as a sink or source of atmospheric CO2 and the
influence of the circulation of the water masses in this region on
climate. The relative effects of physical, chemical and biological
factors on CO2 dynamics will be studied. The first cruise was performed
in March-May 2000 on board the Icebreaker A.R.A. "Alte. Irizar", and a
second one is currently in progress.