Response of the oceans to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide
The rate at which the oceans take up excess atmospheric carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels is an important factor in determining the rate of increase in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide and the maximum value it will reach. In this review are considered the relevant physical and chemical features of the ocean, the observational evidence of its response to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide, and the uncertainties involved in modeling this response. The deep oceans are near saturation with calcite (the least soluble form of calcium carbonate). While the pressure dependence of this solubility and ocean circulation tend to produce calcite supersaturation of the upper ocean, these effects cannot account for the far greater supersaturation of the surface waters. This condition is probably maintained by the effects of photosynthesis and the biogenically controlled precipitation of calcium carbonate. After correcting for the expected effects of biological processes on the composition of seawater, several investigators have found evidence that the increasing carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere has already detectably affected the distribution of carbon in the upper ocean. While there are some complications and uncertainties from mixing effects, there seems reason to hope that this signature of excess carbon may soon become a valuable tracer for monitoring ocean response.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76OR00033
- OSTI ID:
- 6124080
- Report Number(s):
- ORAU/IEA-81-6(M); ON: DE81028178
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
CARBON DIOXIDE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
SEAS
CARBON SINKS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MIXING
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEAWATER
UPTAKE
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER PLANTS
SINKS
SURFACE WATERS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WATER
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