Open AccessSeasonal variation in aragonite saturation in surface waters of Puget Sound – a pilot study
Author(s) -
Greg Pelletier,
Mindy Roberts,
Mya Keyzers,
Simone R. Alin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
elementa
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.011
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2325-1026
DOI - 10.1525/elementa.270
Subject(s) - aragonite , saturation (graph theory) , sound (geography) , oceanography , environmental science , carbonate , chlorophyll a , eutrophication , seasonality , phytoplankton , geology , chemistry , nutrient , ecology , biology , biochemistry , mathematics , organic chemistry , combinatorics
A pilot study of sampling, using monthly marine flights over spatially distributed stations, was conducted with the aim to characterize the carbonate system in Puget Sound over a full year-long period. Surface waters of Puget Sound were found to be under-saturated with respect to aragonite during October–March, and super-saturated during April–September. Highest pCO2 and lowest pH occurred during the corrosive October–March period. Lowest pCO2 and highest pH occurred during the super-saturated April–September period. The monthly variations in pCO2, pH, and aragonite saturation state closely followed the variations in monthly average chlorophyll a. Super-saturated conditions during April–September are likely strongly influenced by photosynthetic uptake of CO2 during the phytoplankton growing season. The relationship between phytoplankton production, the carbonate system, and aragonite saturation state suggests that long-term trends in eutrophication processes may contribute to trends in ocean acidification in Puget Sound.