Distribution of the CO2 partial pressure in the Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and the Antarctic Peninsula

Abstract

A (pCO2)sw profile between Iceland and the Antarctic Peninsula is obtained which demonstrates that along the investigated transect the Atlantic Ocean is largely a potential sink for atmospheric CO2, especially at high latitudes, where partial pressure differences of -80 μatm to -100 μatm are observed. A significant potential source region exists only between the equator and 10°S with a maximum ΔpCO2 of 35 μatm. An attempt is made to identify the processes that control the (pCO2)sw distribution pattern. The investigations at latitudes >40° in both hemispheres were performed during spring and correlations between (pCO2)sw and chlorophyll a contents indicate that biological production mainly controls the distribution of (pCO2)sw. At lower latitudes, (pCO2)sw is mainly related to temperature and salinity, but also an upwelling effect could be identified close to the equator. -Authors