SOCAT version 3 was released on 7 September 2015 during the

SOCAT-SOCOM community event event

preceding the SOLAS Open Science Conference in Kiel, Germany.

SOCAT version 3 contains 14.5 million fCO₂ data from 3630 data sets for global oceans and coastal sease. The decadal distribution of data is shown on the figure below. This release for the first time includes well-calibrated sensor data.

The data are available for download as recalculated fCO₂ in individual cruise files, as concatenated synthesis files, and as gridded fCO₂ means. In addition to the recalculated fCO₂ data, the original CO₂ data, as reported by the data provider, are available in the individual cruise files. All data sets and data products are citable using DOIs (digital object identifiers). Interactive, online Data Viewers enable easy interrogation and visualization of the SOCAT products. The SOCAT products can be downloaded in a variety of formats, including in Ocean Data View format.

The SOCAT website provides access to all version 3 products and tools as downloadable files and interactive data viewers.

 Decadal distribution of quality controlled surface water fCO₂ observations in SOCAT version 3.

Data submission deadline for SOCAT version 4 is 31 January 2016

Also for the first time data generators are enabled to submit their data and metadata through an automated submission system. Please contact the SOCAT team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details.

SOCAT impact and scientific findings

SOCAT represents a milestone in research coordination, data access, biogeochemical and climate research and in informing policy. SOCAT data was used in more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications since the release of version 1 in 2011. Subjects include year-to-year variability in the global ocean carbon sink, magnitude of carbon sink in coastal and marginal seas, evaluation of CMIP models and ocean acidification research. Go to SOCAT website for the most up-to-date list of these publications.  SOCAT also informs the annual Global Carbon Budget.

We hope that you will (continue to) participate in regular SOCAT releases as data provider, data quality controller or data user!

Enjoy SOCAT!