We propose to develop an in situ system for quantifying ocean acidification and carbon cycle processes in coastal and coral reef ecosystems

This Cooperative Agreement award, valued at $1,870,552.00, was granted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Federal Grant Program (CFDA 11.012). The purpose of this award is to develop an in-situ system for quantifying ocean acidification and carbon cycle processes in coastal and coral reef ecosystems.

The key products and services being delivered include:

• Combining Sunburst Sensors' existing in-situ measurement systems for total alkalinity (RL8) and pH (RL9) into a single integrated unit, tentatively named the "SAMI-PHALK"
• Conducting prototype development, testing, and troubleshooting of the SAMI-PHALK system in collaboration between the University of Montana and Sunburst Sensors
• Deploying the SAMI-PHALK prototypes on the CRIMP2 buoy in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii for field testing
• Developing a transition plan to prioritize deployment of the SAMI-PHALK on NOAA's coral reef and coastal observation buoys

The University of Montana is the prime awardee, with Sunburst Sensors as a key sub-grantee responsible for the design, development, and prototyping of the SAMI-PHALK system. The award period is from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2027.

The proposed strategy is to combine existing in situ measurement systems for total alkalinity (at) and PH that have NOAA-defined readiness levels RL8 and RL9, respectively. RL8 is a finalized system, shown to function as expected and RL 9 is a system that is deployed and used routinely. These RLS are consistent with the goals for the ioos ocean technology transition project (OTT) that aims to transition prototype observing technologies to sustained operations for marine monitoring. We have built a multi-institutional team that includes professor mike degrandpre at the university of montana as the scientific PI, DR. Reggie spaulding at sunburst sensors as the industrial partner and transition PI, professor chris sabine at the university of hawaii and operator of the hawaii buoys, and DRS. Melissa iwamoto and chip young with pacioos as our regional partner. Our proposed project addresses the specific areas of interest under this ioos OTT funding opportunity that include transition of sensors for physical, biological, or chemical parameters with an emphasis on sensors for ocean acidification related measurements. Sensors that are able to quantify the parameters dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), at, PH or the partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2) (known as inorganic carbon parameters) are essential for ocean acidification monitoring and research. If two of these parameters are measured the others can be calculated through an equilibrium and mass balance model (e.g. the program CO2SYS), though the pairing of parameters is important (see background below). Sunburst sensors has developed and commercialized in situ systems for at, PH and PCO2 but none of these systems have been combined into a single unit to make cost-effective quantification of inorganic carbon parameters possible. In this case, combining sunbursts at (sami-ALK) and PH (sami-PH) systems into a single unit is the most practical and quantitatively appealing option. We are tentatively naming the instrument the sami-phalk. There are no other commercial instruments able to measure two parameters in situ and the sami-ALK is the only commercial in situ at system to our knowledge. The sami-PH and sami-at have many similarities which will greatly facilitate the development of the combined unit. These include similar plumbing designs, electronic hardware and operating software. The degrandpre lab will work closely with sunburst sensors to develop the combined prototype during the first half of the grant. Later in year 2, the prototypes will be deployed on the CRIMP2 buoy in kaneohe BAY, HI, facilitated by professor chris sabine (UH) and our regional association partner, pacioos (please see support letters). During year 1, sunburst sensors will begin putting together a transition plan working closely with UM and pacioos. The transition plan will prioritize deployment of the sami-phalk on the NOAA coral reef buoys and secondarily, on the NOAA coastal buoys.