Since the beginning of the industrial revolution it is estimated that humans have released over 600 billion metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere. About 25% of this carbon dioxide (CO2) has been taken up by the oceans, largely by the dissolution of this CO2 into seawater and subsequent reactions. Thus long-term oceanic uptake of CO2 changes the marine carbonate chemistry, resulting in a decrease of seawater pH and of the carbonate ion concentration, a situation that is commonly called ‘Ocean Acidification’ (OA). These changes can be slow or dramatic, sometimes catastrophic and can influence local or regional waters; but all of these changes impact marine ecosystems on which we rely, so new and novel methods to monitor ecosystems at risk are needed.

This session provides an open forum for interdisciplinary discussions on the latest and emerging techniques for sensing and/or modelling the marine carbonate system and ocean acidification, including the study of both episodic and long-term change. We welcome contributions on all aspects of the scientific analysis and development from novel sensors, exciting new method developments and experimental techniques, through to potential future capabilities, downstream services or approaches. Possible examples of work could include, but are not limited to, the exploitation of satellite remote sensing and airborne drones, sensors for citizen science, automated biogeochemical floats, methods using artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches or monitoring concepts for sensitive reef systems or aquaculture sites. Work at all scales is relevant, from local through to synoptic regional, basin and global scales.