| Summary: | <p>We propose a comprehensive synthesis of carbon transport in the North Atlantic Ocean using newly developed procedures and a comprehensive dataset including WOCE/WHP, OACES, and German data. Carbon transport in the ocean is commonly ignored in global carbon models, which could cause serious bias in interpretation of results pertaining to location and strength of ocean and terrestrial sources and sinks. The proposed analysis will compare transports along six sections from the high latitude formations regions into the South Atlantic. By comparison of the transports, adjusted for seasonal changes, air-sea fluxes can be estimated from the convergences or divergences. These values will be compared to independent air-sea flux estimates. This will be the first time that such a comprehensive basin inorganic carbon transport analyses will be undertaken. It will also be the first time that the role of total organic carbon on carbon transport will be investigated. The carbon transport estimates can only be accomplished by a unique collaboration of field investigators of inorganic and organic carbon (Wallace, Hansell and Wanninkhof), and those familiar with the hydrography and heat and salt transport (Baringer, Boening, and Koltermann). The partners in the international collaboration assure access and familiarity to a comprehensive dataset in the North Atlantic.</p>
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