An OCB topical subcommittee focused on Biogeochemical-Argo – PIs: Ken Johnson (MBARI), Emmanuel Boss (Univ. Maine)
Objective: This committee will serve as a focal point for US community input on the implementation of the global biogeochemical float array and associated science program development. This committee will also engage with and provide US input to the International Biogeochemical-Argo steering committee.

Developing best practices for measurement of oceanic ¹⁵N₂ fixation rates and relationships to communities – PIs: Angelicque White (Oregon State Univ.), Pia Moisander (UMass Dartmouth), Julie Granger (Univ. Conn.)
Objective: Using field and laboratory data from a recently funded NSF EAGER award, this working group will conduct a thorough assessment of the ¹⁵N₂ tracer incubation method (accuracy, error analysis, detection limit, etc.) for measuring nitrogen fixation rates and accompanying molecular methods that identify responsible diazotrophs.

Working group to establish data standards and practices for taxon-resolved phytoplankton observations – PIs: Heidi Sosik (WHOI), Christopher Proctor (NASA GSFC/SSAI), Aimee Neeley (NASA GSFC/SSAI), Ivona Cetinić (NASA GSFC/USRA)
Objective: In an effort to facilitate community-wide access to phytoplankton data products that support critical satellite algorithm development and validation, this working group will convene relevant expertise (e.g., phytoplankton ecology and taxonomy, data systems, informatics, etc.) to develop a set of standards and best practices for phytoplankton taxonomy data.

OCB scoping workshop Carbon Hot Spot (joint workshop with US CLIVAR) – PIs: Andrea Fassbender (MBARI), Stuart Bishop (NCSU)
Objective: This workshop will convene scientists from the fields of the biogeochemistry, ecology, and ocean physics to explore the integration of observational and numerical modeling tools to link biophysical dynamics with carbon uptake processes and explore feedbacks on organisms in Western Boundary Current (WBC) regions.

OCB scoping workshop Scientific imperatives for a coordinated US investigation of the Indian Ocean, 2016-2020 and beyond (with co-sponsorship from NASA Physical Oceanography Program and NOAA Ocean Observations and Monitoring Division) – PIs: Raleigh Hood (Univ. Maryland), Mike McPhaden (NOAA/PMEL), Jerry Wiggert (USM), Subrahmanyam Bulusu (Univ. South Carolina), Lynne Talley (SIO)
Objective: With the second international Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE-2) underway and an international science plan in place, this workshop aims to build momentum in the US Indian Ocean research community by highlighting IIOE-2 observing assets and new opportunities to advance our understanding of key climate and oceanographic processes at play in the Indian Ocean.