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Meridional transport of dissolved inorganic carbon in the South Atlantic Ocean
Author(s) -
Holfort J.,
Johnson K. M.,
Schneider B.,
Siedler G.,
Wallace D. W. R.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
global biogeochemical cycles
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.512
H-Index - 187
eISSN - 1944-9224
pISSN - 0886-6236
DOI - 10.1029/98gb01533
Subject(s) - total inorganic carbon , dissolved organic carbon , zonal and meridional , oceanography , carbon fibers , carbon cycle , environmental science , flux (metallurgy) , carbon dioxide , isotopes of carbon , atmospheric sciences , total organic carbon , climatology , chemistry , geology , environmental chemistry , ecology , organic chemistry , materials science , ecosystem , composite number , composite material , biology
The meridional oceanic transports of dissolved inorganic carbon and oxygen were calculated using six transoceanic sections occupied in the South Atlantic between 11°S and 30°S. The total dissolved inorganic carbon (TCO 2 ) data were interpolated onto conductivity‐temperature‐depth data to obtain a high‐resolution data set, and Ekman, depth‐dependent and depth‐independent components of the transport were estimated. Uncertainties in the depth‐independent velocity distribution were reduced using an inverse model. The inorganic carbon transport between 11°S and 30°S was southward, decreased slightly toward the south, and was −2150 ± 200 kmol s −1 (−0.81 ± 0.08 Gt C yr −1 ) at 20°S. This estimate includes the contribution of net mass transport required to balance the salt transport through Bering Strait. Anthropogenic CO 2 concentrations were estimated for the sections. The meridional transport of anthropogenic CO 2 was northward, increased toward the north, and was 430 kmol s −1 (0.16 Gt C yr −1 ) at 20°S. The calculations imply net southward inorganic carbon transport of 2580 kmol s −1 (1 Gt C yr −1 ) during preindustrial times. The slight contemporary convergence of inorganic carbon between 10°S and 30°S is balanced by storage of anthropogenic CO 2 and a sea‐to‐air flux implying little local divergence of the organic carbon transport. During the preindustrial era, there was significant regional convergence of both inorganic carbon and oxygen, consistent with a sea‐to‐air gas flux driven by warming. The northward transport of anthropogenic CO 2 carried by the meridional overturning circulation represents an important source for anthropogenic CO 2 currently being stored within the North Atlantic Ocean.