Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1388
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1388
11 Jun 2024
 | 11 Jun 2024

Ocean Acidification trends and Carbonate System dynamics in the North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre during 2009–2019

David Curbelo-Hernández, Fiz F. Pérez, Melchor González-Dávila, Sergey V. Gladyshev, Aridane G. González, David González-Santana, Antón Velo, Alexey Sokov, and J. Magdalena Santana-Casiano

Abstract. The CO2-carbonate system dynamics in the North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre (NASPG) were evaluated between 2009 and 2019. Data was collected aboard eight summer cruises through the CLIVAR 59.5º N section. The Ocean Acidification (OA) patterns and the reduction in the saturation state of calcite (ΩCa) and aragonite (ΩArag) in response to the increasing anthropogenic CO2 (Cant) were assessed within the Irminger, Iceland and Rockall basins during a poorly-assessed decade in which the physical patterns reversed in comparison with previous well-known periods. The observed cooling, freshening and enhanced ventilation increased the interannual rate of accumulation of Cant in the interior ocean by 50–86 % and the OA rates by close to 10 %. The OA trends were 0.0013–0.0032 units yr-1 in the Irminger and Iceland basin and 0.0006–0.0024 units yr-1 in the Rockall Trough, causing a decline in ΩCa and ΩArag of 0.004–0.021 and 0.003–0.0013 units yr-1, respectively. The Cant-driven rise in total inorganic carbon (CT) was the main driver of the OA (contributed by 53–68 % in upper layers and >82 % toward the interior ocean) and the reduction in ΩCa and ΩArag (>64 %). The transient decrease in temperature, salinity and AT collectively counteracts the CT-driven acidification by 45–85 % in the upper layers and in the shallow Rockall Trough and by <10 % in the interior ocean. The present investigation reports the acceleration of the OA within the NASPG and expands knowledge about the future state of the ocean.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
David Curbelo-Hernández, Fiz F. Pérez, Melchor González-Dávila, Sergey V. Gladyshev, Aridane G. González, David González-Santana, Antón Velo, Alexey Sokov, and J. Magdalena Santana-Casiano

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1388', Anonymous Referee #1, 02 Jul 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', David Curbelo-Hernández, 16 Jul 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', David Curbelo-Hernández, 28 Aug 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1388', Anonymous Referee #2, 19 Aug 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', David Curbelo-Hernández, 28 Aug 2024
      • AC3: 'Clarification regarding pH correction', David Curbelo-Hernández, 01 Sep 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', David Curbelo-Hernández, 16 Jul 2024
David Curbelo-Hernández, Fiz F. Pérez, Melchor González-Dávila, Sergey V. Gladyshev, Aridane G. González, David González-Santana, Antón Velo, Alexey Sokov, and J. Magdalena Santana-Casiano

Data sets

Surface-to-bottom data of total alkalinity, total inorganic carbon, pH and dissolved oxygen in the subpolar North Atlantic along the CLIVAR 59.5N hydrographic section during 2009-2019. J. Magdalena Santana-Casiano, Melchor González-Dávila, and David Curbelo-Hernández https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10276221

David Curbelo-Hernández, Fiz F. Pérez, Melchor González-Dávila, Sergey V. Gladyshev, Aridane G. González, David González-Santana, Antón Velo, Alexey Sokov, and J. Magdalena Santana-Casiano

Viewed

Total article views: 446 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total Supplement BibTeX EndNote
312 83 51 446 35 16 22
  • HTML: 312
  • PDF: 83
  • XML: 51
  • Total: 446
  • Supplement: 35
  • BibTeX: 16
  • EndNote: 22
Views and downloads (calculated since 11 Jun 2024)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 11 Jun 2024)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 450 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 450 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 14 Oct 2024
Download
Short summary
The study evaluated CO2-carbonate system dynamics in the North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre from 2009 to 2019. Significant ocean acidification, largely due to rising anthropogenic CO2 levels, was found. Cooling, freshening, and enhanced convective processes intensified this trend, affecting calcite and aragonite saturation. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of Ocean Acidification and improve our knowledge about its impact on marine ecosystems.