Uncertainty in the magnitude of the modern biological carbon pump (i.e., organic carbon export) remains large, with estimates ranging from 5 to 12 Pg C per year. Such estimates account for dissolved organic matter (DOM) and particulate organic matter (POM) components of the soft tissue pump, with a general rule-of-thumb that DOM comprises 20% of the total organic carbon production. For the hard tissue pump associated with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) production, export estimates are also uncertain, hovering around 10% of the soft tissue pump magnitude. If we are to understand how ocean ecosystems are impacted by a warming and acidifying ocean, a modern global baseline for ocean productivity is required. A key impediment to addressing this need has stemmed from our observing approaches being limited in space, time, or both. Autonomous sensors and platforms are now starting to fill observing gaps, albeit with less reliable and nuanced measurement capabilities than can be achieved from ships. Autonomous sensor based methods used to quantify net community production (gross photosynthesis minus community respiration - a proxy for carbon export when integrated over ~one year) often rely on chemical tracers and do not differentiate DOM and POM production. This means that changes in the production ratio of these carbon pools could easily go undetected with these observing approaches, having important implications for mesopelagic food webs. Additionally, in situ calcium carbonate cycling remains challenging to decipher due to sensor technology limitations. New and nuanced methodologies are needed to fully leverage our growing autonomous observing capabilities in concert with our highest-quality field observations from ships to decipher: 

1. the spatiotemporal imprint of organic and inorganic biological carbon production on sea surface carbon dioxide levels, and 

2. How CaCO3 particles influence organic carbon transfer to depth

Here we consider the present advantages and limitations of using Biogeochemical Argo floats to quantify the hard and soft tissue pumps, as well as potential research avenues toward achieving persistent, real-time monitoring (and improved comprehension) of ocean productivity.