Trace metals distributions in the Southern Ocean : Kerguelen Plateau process study ...

• Main Author: Queroue, F
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: University Of Tasmania 2023
• Subjects: Kerguelen; Southern Ocean
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25959/23239424; https://figshare.utas.edu.au/articles/thesis/Trace_metals_distributions_in_the_Southern_Ocean_Kerguelen_Plateau_process_study/23239424

The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) is of a great interest for scientists since the largest contribution to Earth total radiative forcing is caused by the increase in the atmospheric concentration of CO2 since 1750 (IPCC 2013). Indeed, from 1750 to 2011, anthropogenic CO2 emissions have released 555 gigatons of carbon (GtC) that accumulated within different ecosystems and mainly in the atmosphere (240 GtC), 160 GtC have accumulated in natural terrestrial ecosystems and 155 GtC have been taken up by the ocean (IPCC 2013). Two processes lead to the transfer of CO2 from the atmosphere to the ocean: the physical and the biological carbon pumps (Fig. I.1). First, the physical carbon pump is initialized by the surface ocean, which constantly exchanges gases and heat with the low atmosphere. The solubility of CO2 in seawater increases when temperatures decrease. Thus, in the high latitudes, low temperatures, strong winds, and waves favour the transfer of CO2 into the ocean. Then, CO2 is exported ...