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Shifts in biogenic carbon flow from particulate to dissolved forms under high carbon dioxide and warm ocean conditions
Author(s) -
Kim JaMyung,
Lee Kitack,
Shin Kyungsoon,
Yang Eun Jin,
Engel Anja,
Karl David M.,
Kim HyunCheol
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2011gl047346
Subject(s) - dissolved organic carbon , mesocosm , environmental science , carbon dioxide , total organic carbon , carbon sequestration , carbon cycle , phytoplankton , environmental chemistry , carbon fibers , total inorganic carbon , atmospheric carbon cycle , particulates , remineralisation , organic matter , biological pump , carbon dioxide in earth's atmosphere , carbon respiration , particulate organic carbon , nutrient , chemistry , negative carbon dioxide emission , ecosystem , ecology , materials science , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , composite number , composite material , fluoride , biology
Photosynthesis by phytoplankton in sunlit surface waters transforms inorganic carbon and nutrients into organic matter, a portion of which is subsequently transported vertically through the water column by the process known as the biological carbon pump (BCP). The BCP sustains the steep vertical gradient in total dissolved carbon, thereby contributing to net carbon sequestration. Any changes in the vertical transportation of the organic matter as a result of future climate variations will directly affect surface ocean carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentrations, and subsequently influence oceanic uptake of atmospheric CO 2 and climate. Here we present results of experiments designed to investigate the potential effects of ocean acidification and warming on the BCP. These perturbation experiments were carried out in enclosures (3,000 L volume) in a controlled mesocosm facility that mimicked future pCO 2 (∼900 ppmv) and temperature (3°C higher than ambient) conditions. The elevated CO 2 and temperature treatments disproportionately enhanced the ratio of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) production to particulate organic carbon (POC) production, whereas the total organic carbon (TOC) production remained relatively constant under all conditions tested. A greater partitioning of organic carbon into the DOC pool indicated a shift in the organic carbon flow from the particulate to dissolved forms, which may affect the major pathways involved in organic carbon export and sequestration under future ocean conditions.