Please Note: This is an archived snapshot of the latest published version: 2.0.0 Click here for the most recent published version

A1 - Ocean Acidification; Inorganic carbon system parameters in seawater


Field	Description	Validated Entry
[Table title]	Name of monitoring programme	Ocean Acidification; Inorganic carbon system parameters in seawater
[ProgrammeDescription]	Description of the monitoring programme	Ocean acidification (OA) monitoring is carried out within OSPAR's Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme (CEMP) (Agreement 2016-01). Monitoring of OA requires measurement of at least 2 of the 4 parameters of the carbonate system be measured: pCO₂, Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC), Total Alkainity and pH, along with other ancillary measurements required to constain the carbonate system. The monitoring of the carbonate system in seawater is carried out to provide fit-for-purpose data to: 1) Assess long-term trends and rates of ocean acidification due to anthropogenic influences across the OSPAR Maritime area, by determining rates of change of pH, carbonate mineral saturation state, and other carbonate system parameters, ; 2) Assess the spatio-temporal variability of carbonate species concentrations within the maritime area, including in coastal and offshore areas. 3) Provide information of sufficient spatial and temporal resolution to underpin the identification of biological impacts and future ecological risks through direct observation and the use of numerical models.
[OtherPoliciesConventions]	Monitoring for other Union legislation or international agreements that contributes to the programme.	OSP-CEMP
[Contracting Parties monitoring]	Which other countries are involved in practical implementation of this monitoring programme, and what is the degree of cooperation.	Coordinated data collection BE, DE, DK, ES, FR, IE, IS, NL, NO, PT, SE, UK
[Contracting Parties supplying data]		BE, DE, DK, IS, IE, NL, NO, SE, UK, ES, FR, PT
[Contracting Parties with an "opt out"]		NA
[Temporal scope]	Start (and end) date of the programme.	2016 - 9999
[Spatial scope]	Spatial coverage of the programme according to the jurisdictional zones of marine waters.	Coastal waters (WFD) Territorial waters EEZ (or similar, e.g. Contiguous Zone, Fishing Zone, Ecological Protection Zone) Continental shelf (beyond EEZ) Beyond MS Marine Waters Transitional waters (WFD)
[Aggregation of Data]	At which scale can the data from the sub-programme be aggregated for environmental assessments?	Other: unaggregated
[MarineReportingUnit]	Area(s) where the programme takes place.	marineSubregion marineSubdivision
[Monitoring Purpose]	Purpose of the programme aimed at collecting data and information.	Environmental state and impacts Pressures in the marine environment
[MonitoringType]	Type of monitoring (in-situ, remote sensing, etc.).	In-situ sampling offshore In-situ sampling coastal Remote surveillance’ (e.g. buoys)
[Indicator Metric]	Feature(s) monitored (ecosystem components, pressures, activities).	D4/D1 Chemical Characterisitics D7 Hydrographical changes pCO₂ pH
[Elements]	Element(s) monitored (e.g. species, habitats, contaminants).	Dissolved carbon dioxide (pCO₂), pH
[Element Monitored]		Physical and chemical features – pH, total alkalinity, pCO₂ and dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations and ancillary measurements, or equivalent information used to measure marine acidification.
[Parameter Measured]	Parameter(s) monitored.	CO₂ pH
[Monitoring Guidelines/Monitoring Method in place]	Guidelines/protocols describing the method for monitoring.	OSP-019 OTH
[MonitoringMethodOther]	Guidelines/protocols describing the method for monitoring.	OSPAR OA monitoring Guidelines revised 2026. First OA assessment for QSR 2023 https://oap.ospar.org/en/ospar-assessment Further infromation available ICGOA summary records and Final report of Joint ICES-OSPAR Study Group on Ocean Acidification (SGOA 2014) http://ices.dk/sites/pub/Publication%20Reports/Expert%20Group%20Report/acom/2014/SGOA/sgoa_finalOSPAR_2015.pdfs/quality-status-reports/qsr-2023/other-assessments/ocean-acidification/
[Quality Assurance Procedures in Place]	In addition to a specified method, is there any additional Quality Assurance used?	Other: Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO, University of California provide CRMs for DIC, TA, pH. -[ insercurity in the supply has been identified https://jpi-oceans.eu/sites/jpi-oceans.eu/files/publications/occ_roadmap_july_2025.pdf ] Quasimeme biannual intercalibration AQ15 Ocean Acidification in place since 2021. QUASIMEME Workshops held - Feb 2016, and March 2025 ICOS - standard gasses CO₂; Other QA developments in train
[Quality Control]	What type of Quality Control is used?	Delayed mode
[Data submission Frequency (and deadline)]	Frequency of the monitoring	Annually
[Applicable MSFD GES Criteria]	Indicator(s) to which the programme contributes.	NotRelevant
[Data Depository]	Link to where monitoring data can be accessed (Art. 19(3)	https://www.ices.dk/data/data-portals/Pages/ocean.aspx IOC IODE UN SDG14.3 and national databases Surface CO₂ data also www.socat.info; ocean interior carbonate system Ocean Interior (bottle) data at https://glodap.info/
[Data Custodian]		ICES OCeans database: ICES is the data centre for OSPAR although further work is required to define ICES reporting requirements/vocabulary
[Assessment Guidelines]		Revised OSPAR OA Guidelines 2026; methodology QSR 2023 OA assessment
[Assessment tools available]
[Nature of data]		Processed

A1 - Ocean Acification