The carbonic system distribution and fluxes in the NE Atlantic during Spring 1991 |
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Authors: | A F Ríos T R Anderson F F Prez |
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Institution: | A. F. Ríos, T. R. Anderson,F. F. Pérez |
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Abstract: | The potential of the North Atlantic as a sink for atmospheric CO2 was investigated by studying the carbonic system using data obtained during the spring of 1991. The air-sea flux of CO2 was related to chlorophyll and other environmental variables, and the regeneration of carbon in the mid-ocean studied by examining vertical sections representative of the study area.Poor correlations were found between pCO2 and chlorophyll throughout much of the study area, although a good correlation was found along 16°W. The highest air-sea fluxes of CO2 were calculated for areas where chlorophyll was highest (45°13′N, 16°04′W), and where the greatest wind speeds occurred (47°51′N, 28°18′W). The mean CO2 flux from the atmosphere to the ocean during the study period (May) was calculated as 0.65mmol m−2d−1, which compares well with other studies. Regression equations were developed to predict total inorganic carbon from nutrients; errors were typically less than 1 μmol kg−1. Regeneration of carbon in the mid-ocean occurred in two principal stages: 0–1000m and>2300m. Regeneration in the upper zone was dominated by soft tissue carbon (86%), with skeletal carbon (calcite) contributing only 14%. The fraction of regenerated carbon of skeletal origin increased to 51% in the>2300m zone. |
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