Instruments installed on board the vessel will record changing patterns in the flow of carbon dioxide from the air into surface waters then send the data immediately to the scientists via satellite. The project is fully funded by the Swire Group Charitable Trust. The Swire Climate Task Force, which works under the group's Environmental Committee approached NOCS with an offer to use MV Indotrans Celebes, which regularly sails from Jakarta to the Gulf of Mexico via the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic.

The oceans play a major role in reducing the rate at which the planet is warmed up by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air. There are fears that global warming will accelerate if the oceans cannot cope with carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels at present rates. There is also evidence that as the oceans absorb more carbon dioxide they become more acid, threatening the health of calcareous ecosystems like coral reefs. It is essential to know where and how carbon dioxide is entering and changing the oceans.

Data gathered in the project will link with ongoing observations in the Atlantic, which already gives cause for concern as NOCS studies show that the Gulf Stream has slowed by 30% in the last decade.

Dr David Hydes, the NOCS scientist leading the project says, 'Detailed continuous measurements from the MV Indotrans Celebes will enable us to build up an accurate knowledge of climate related change. The instruments and electronic systems are designed to be exceptionally sensitive yet require minimum maintenance. They also need to be robust enough to survive life in seawater and extreme temperatures and humidity.'

A water circuit will be installed on the ship in parallel to its cooling water unit. As the water flows through a special tank, carbon dioxide is measured along with dissolved oxygen, temperature and the salinity of the sampled water. The data is recorded in the engine room along with the ship's GPS position. The record is then transmitted to NOCS where it is checked and transferred to a live web page and made available to the global scientific community.

MJ Information No: 21736