Changes in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and
apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) in the water column are quantified for
meridional hydrographic sections through the Atlantic
from 63 ˚N to 60 ˚S between 1988/1993 and 2003/2005. Changes are most pronounced in the upper 1000
m water column. DIC changes range from
-5 to 40 µmol/kg and AOU changes by a similar amount. The remainder is caused by changes in
positions of fronts, gyres, remineralization and ventilation as manifested by
changes in watermass properties. In
particular AOU increases of similar magnitude as increases in DIC point towards
a significant contribution of oxidation of organic matter to the DIC
increase. The large changes in
biogeochemical properties of the upper water column of the Atlantic
have been one of the big surprises in the decadal reoccupation of the
transects.
Author: R. Wanninkhof, S. Doney, C. Langdon, J. L. Bullister, et al (rik dot wanninkhof at noaa dot gov)
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