Inorganic carbon and pH levels in the Rockall Trough 1991-2010

• Published in: Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers
• Main Authors: McGrath, Triona, Kivimäe, Caroline, Tanhua, Toste, Cave, Rachel R., McGovern, Evin
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2012
• Subjects: Anthropogenic carbon; Acidification; Inorganic carbon; Water masses; Rockall Trough; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10793/820; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2012.05.011

NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, [Volume 68, (June 2012)] doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2012.05.011, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967063712001185 peer-reviewed The accumulation of anthropogenic CO2 in the oceans is altering seawater carbonate chemistry. Investigation and monitoring of the carbonate parameters is therefore necessary to understand potential impacts on ocean ecosystems. Total alkalinity (AT) and dissolved inorganic carbon (CT) were sampled across the Rockall Trough in Feb 2009 (CE0903) and Feb 2010 (CE10002) as part of a baseline study of inorganic carbon chemistry in Irish shelf waters. The results have been compared with data from WOCE surveys A01E (Sept 1991), A01 (Dec 1994), AR24 (Nov 1996) and A24 (June 1997). The 2009 and 2010 datasets provide a snapshot of the biogeochemical parameters which can act as a baseline of inorganic carbon and acidity levels in surface waters of the Rockall Trough in late winter for future comparison since previous surveys in the area have been affected by biological activity. The dataset also offers the possibility to compare decadal changes in subsurface waters. The temporal evolution of anthropogenic carbon (D Cant) between the 1990s and 2010 was evaluated using two separate methods; (i) a comparison of the concentrations of CT between surveys, after correcting it for remineralisation of organic material and formation and dissolution of calcium carbonate (D CT-abio) and (ii) an extended Multiple Linear Regression was used to calculate the D Cant (D Cant eMLR). There was an ...