Dynamics of pCO2 and related air-ice CO2 fluxes in the Arctic coastal zone (Amundsen Gulf, Beaufort Sea)

• Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans
• Main Authors: Geilfus, Nicolas-Xavier, Carnat, G., Papakyriakou, T., Tison, Jean-Louis, Else, B., Thomas, H., Shadwick, E., Delille, Bruno
• Other Authors: Unité d'Océanographie Chimique
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2012
• Subjects: Physical; chemical; mathematical & earth Sciences; Earth sciences & physical geography; Physique; chimie; mathématiques & sciences de la terre; Sciences de la terre & géographie physique; Arctic; Amundsen Gulf; Beaufort Sea; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://orbi.uliege.be/handle/2268/125925; https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JC007118

peer reviewed We present an Arctic seasonal survey of carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) dynamics within sea ice brine and related air-ice CO2 fluxes. The survey was carried out from early spring to the beginning of summer in the Arctic coastal waters of the Amundsen Gulf. High concentrations of pCO2 (up to 1834 matm) were observed in the sea ice in early April as a consequence of concentration of solutes in brines, CaCO3 precipitation and microbial respiration. CaCO3 precipitation was detected through anomalies in total alkalinity (TA) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). This precipitation seems to have occurred in highly saline brine in the upper part of the ice cover and in bulk ice. As summer draws near, the ice temperature increases and brine pCO2 shifts from a large supersaturation (1834 matm) to a marked undersaturation (down to almost 0 matm). This decrease was ascribed to brine dilution by ice meltwater, dissolution of CaCO3 and photosynthesis during the sympagic algal bloom. The magnitude of the CO2 fluxes was controlled by ice temperature (through its control on brine volume and brine channels connectivity) and the concentration gradient between brine and the atmosphere. However, the state of the ice-interface clearly affects air-ice CO2 fluxes.