Next-Generation Technologies to Unravel the Ocean’s Carbon Secrets
The European Union-funded GEORGE project is pioneering advanced autonomous sensors and samplers to enhance the observation of ocean carbon, with recent testing conducted in the North-East Atlantic. With CO2 levels rising and making oceans more acidic, affecting marine ecosystems worldwide, gaining a deeper understanding of the ocean’s role in absorbing atmospheric carbon is crucial to addressing climate change.
Introducing the GEORGE Project
Launched in 2023, the GEORGE project—Next generation multiplatform Ocean observing technologies for research infrastructures—aims to develop cutting-edge, multiplatform technologies that significantly advance Europe’s and the global community’s capability to monitor the ocean’s carbon cycle. These technologies promise to elevate systematic, long-term, autonomous ocean observations to a new level, delivering vital data for climate research and policymaking.
A Breakthrough in Carbon Measurement
One of the major achievements within GEORGE has been by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) in the United Kingdom, which developed the world’s first autonomous sensor capable of measuring total alkalinity (TA) at full ocean depth. Total alkalinity is a critical parameter for understanding how oceans absorb and store carbon dioxide. This innovation was detailed in the journal ACS Sensors, emphasizing its importance in ocean chemistry research.
Comprehensive Field Testing in the North-East Atlantic
In June 2025, GEORGE scientists undertook an intensive three-week research cruise approximately 500 km off Ireland’s coast to test the newly developed sensors for ocean carbon. The deployment featured multiple autonomous platforms, some of which are designed for year-long missions. Notably, one platform operated at nearly 5 kilometers depth, underscoring the robustness and depth capability of the new sensors.
During this expedition, sensors measuring pH, total alkalinity, and partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) were operated on underwater gliders and other autonomous observing systems associated with Europe’s primary marine research infrastructures: Euro-Argo, EMSO (European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water column Observatory), and ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System).
A highlight was the deployment of a cutting-edge seabed lander equipped with sensors for dissolved inorganic carbon, which will remain at a depth of 4,850 meters for an entire year. This unique setup will gather high-resolution data to help scientists analyze temporal patterns in benthic biodiversity and explore links between carbon cycling at the ocean surface and deep waters.
Advancing Autonomous Ocean Monitoring
These trials also open the door for future innovations, such as autonomous communication and decision-making capabilities among observing platforms, enhancing real-time data collection and adaptability. Ocean scientist Socratis Loucaides from NOC noted, “This deployment will be a real test for sensor robustness in a harsh deep ocean environment,” highlighting the challenge and significance of the long-term operation.
Autonomous Gas-Tight Sampling Technology
Complementing the sensor array, GEORGE introduced a new gas-tight autonomous sampler, deployed for the first time during the cruise. This device will continuously collect seawater samples over a year on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain Sustained Observatory mooring in the North-East Atlantic. These preserved samples will allow scientists to validate sensor accuracy and measurement quality, providing essential cross-verification data for the automated instruments.
Implications for Climate Science and Policy
The rich dataset generated by GEORGE’s autonomous technologies stands to deepen understanding of the ocean’s carbon dynamics, supporting climate models and enabling informed policy decisions. By augmenting Europe’s marine research infrastructure capabilities—including ICOS, Euro-Argo, and EMSO—the project aligns with broader efforts to combat climate change and negotiate international climate agreements with robust scientific backing.
For further information about the GEORGE project and its innovative technologies, and to explore related initiatives in ocean carbon monitoring, visit the CORDIS website.
Published: November 29, 2025
Contact: editorial@cordis.europa.eu
Keywords: GEORGE, ocean carbon, CO2, total alkalinity, autonomous sensors, ocean observing platforms, climate change, European marine research infrastructures
