We present a 30+ year record
of continuous atmospheric CO2 concentrations and a 5 year record of
continuous O2 concentrations from Baring Head, New Zealand.
When compared to South Pole data, the CO2 concentrations indicate a
persistent, but variable net carbon sink in the Southern Ocean since the late
1970s. The amplitude of the seasonal cycle of O2 concentrations (expressed as “APO”, Atmospheric Potential
Oxygen) shows large inter-annual variability, suggesting high variability in
annual air-sea O2 fluxes, and thus also potentially
suggesting high variability in year to year marine productivity in the Southern
Ocean.
Author: G.W. Brailsford, A.C. Manning, A.J. Gomez, and K. Riedel (g dot brailsford at niwa dot co dot nz)
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