Draft:EXPORTS Campaign

The EXPORTS (EXport Processes in the Ocean from Remote Sensing) Campaign is a groundbreaking research initiative led by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA to better understand how carbon moves through the ocean’s biological pump. This process plays a crucial role in regulating Earth’s climate by capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide through tiny marine organisms like phytoplankton. By studying how carbon cycles through ocean ecosystems—whether it’s consumed by marine life, sinks to deeper waters, or gets released back into the atmosphere—EXPORTS helps scientists predict long-term changes in the global carbon cycle. Using a mix of ship-based sampling, robotic underwater vehicles, and satellite observations, the campaign provides a clearer picture of how our oceans influence climate stability.

Launched in 2018, EXPORTS has conducted large-scale field campaigns in the North Pacific and North Atlantic, regions that are vital to global carbon transport. Scientists collect real-time data on phytoplankton growth, marine food web interactions, and the rate at which carbon sinks into the deep sea. The findings improve climate models and remote sensing technology, helping to refine predictions about how oceans absorb carbon in a warming world. Ultimately, EXPORTS strengthens our ability to monitor ocean health and highlights the ocean’s critical role in maintaining Earth’s climate balance.