Impact of Anthropogenic CO 2 on the CaCO 3 System in the Oceans

2004/07/15 by Richard A. Feely, Christopher L. Sabine, Kitack Lee +4 · 7 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Ocean Acidification Effects and Responses #Marine Biology and Ecology Research #Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies

paper · doi:10.1126/science.1097329

openalex publication_date 2004/07/15 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations over the past two centuries have led to greater CO2 uptake by the oceans. This acidification process has changed the saturation state of the oceans with respect to calcium carbonate (CaCO3) particles. Here we estimate the in situ CaCO3 dissolution rates for the global oceans from total alkalinity and chlorofluorocarbon data, and we also discuss the future impacts of anthropogenic CO2 on CaCO3 shell-forming species. CaCO3 dissolution rates, ranging from 0.003 to 1.2 micromoles per kilogram per year, are observed beginning near the aragonite saturation horizon. The total water column CaCO3 dissolution rate for the global oceans is approximately 0.5 +/- 0.2 petagrams of CaCO3-C per year, which is approximately 45 to 65% of the export production of CaCO3.

Citations

• Reduced calcification of marine plankton in response to increased atmospheric CO2
• Redfield ratios of remineralization determined by nutrient data analysis
• Response of coccolithophorid Emiliania huxleyi to elevated partial pressure of CO2 under nitrogen limitation

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