Preface: Special Issue on Probing the Open Ocean With the Research Sailing Yacht Eugen Seibold for Climate Geochemistry

Abstract

The 72-foot sailing yacht Eugen Seibold is a new research platform for contamination-free sampling of the water column and atmosphere for biological, chemical, and physical properties, and the exchange processes between the two realms. Ultimate goal of the project is a better understanding of the modern and past ocean and climate. Operations started in 2019 in the Northeast Atlantic, and will focus on the Tropical Eastern Pacific from 2023 until 2025. Laboratories for air and seawater analyses are equipped with down-sized and automated state-of-the-art technology for a comprehensive description of the marine carbon system including CO2 concentration in the air and sea surface, pH, macro-, and micro-nutrient concentration (e.g., Fe, Cd), trace metals, and calcareous plankton. Air samples are obtained from ca. 13 m above sea surface and analyzed for particles (incl. black carbon and aerosols) and greenhouse gases. Plankton nets and seawater probes are deployed over the custom-made A-frame at the stern of the boat. Near Real-Time Transfer of underway data via satellite connection allows dynamic expedition planning to maximize gain of information. Data and samples are analyzed in collaboration with the international expert research community. Quality controlled data are published for open access. The entire suite of data facilitates refined proxy calibration of paleoceanographic and paleoclimate archives at high temporal and spatial resolution in relation to seawater and atmospheric parameters.