Decadal Changes in the Aragonite and Calcite Saturation State of the Pacific Ocean

Based on measurements from the WOCE/JGOFS global CO2 survey, the CLIVAR/CO2 Repeat Hydrography Program and the Canadian Line P survey, we have observed an average decrease of 0.34% yr−1 in the saturation state of surface seawater in the Pacific Ocean with respect to aragonite and calcite. The upward...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Global Biogeochemical Cycles
Main Authors: Feely, Richard A., Sabine, Christopher L., Byrne, Robert H., Millero, Frank J., Dickson, Andrew G., Wanninkhof, Rik, Murata, Akihiko, Miller, Lisa A., Greeley, Dana
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:unknown
Published: Digital Commons @ University of South Florida 2012
Subjects:
Pacific Ocean
acidification
aragonite
calcite
carbon dioxide
saturation state
Life Sciences
Pacific
Ocean acidification
Online Access:https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/msc_facpub/1591
https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GB004157
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/context/msc_facpub/article/2631/viewcontent/2011GB004157.pdf
Description
Summary:Based on measurements from the WOCE/JGOFS global CO2 survey, the CLIVAR/CO2 Repeat Hydrography Program and the Canadian Line P survey, we have observed an average decrease of 0.34% yr−1 in the saturation state of surface seawater in the Pacific Ocean with respect to aragonite and calcite. The upward migrations of the aragonite and calcite saturation horizons, averaging about 1 to 2 m yr−1, are the direct result of the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 by the oceans and regional changes in circulation and biogeochemical processes. The shoaling of the saturation horizon is regionally variable, with more rapid shoaling in the South Pacific where there is a larger uptake of anthropogenic CO2. In some locations, particularly in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre and in the California Current, the decadal changes in circulation can be the dominant factor in controlling the migration of the saturation horizon. If CO2 emissions continue as projected over the rest of this century, the resulting changes in the marine carbonate system would mean that many coral reef systems in the Pacific would no longer be able to sustain a sufficiently high rate of calcification to maintain the viability of these ecosystems as a whole, and these changes perhaps could seriously impact the thousands of marine species that depend on them for survival.

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