CARIOCA: drifting buoys to quantitatively assess the exchange of CO 2 at the interface atmosphere ocean Eureka Project EU 819

In order to complete the data concerning the CO₂ concentration at the surface of the ocean, which are today insufficient, the CARIOCA project aims to design and qualify a drifting buoy equipped with sensors. The CO₂ sensor used is based on the measurement at 3 wavelengths of a dye, which is sensible to pH. This dye is in contact with sea water through a silicone membrane, permeable to CO₂. A fluorescence sensor has been designed and built. The phase of technical validation is outstanding. The first results have been obtained during one month trials on a prototype buoy moored in the vicinity of Groix Island and on board a merchant vessel on transatlantic and transpacific routes. The CARIOCA project is financed within the frame of the EUROMAR program BY EUREKA (EU 819)