Article (Scientific journals)
Variability of North Sea pH and CO2 in response to North Atlantic Oscillation forcing
Salt, L.A.; Thomas, H.; Prowe, A.E.F. et al.
2013In Journal of Geophysical Research. Biogeosciences, 118 (1-9)
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Abstract :
[en] High biological activity causes a distinct seasonality of surface water pH in the North Sea, which is a strong sink for atmospheric CO 2 via an effective shelf pump. The intimate connection between the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean suggests that the variability of the CO 2 system of the North Atlantic Ocean may, in part, be responsible for the observed variability of pH and CO 2 in the North Sea. In this work, we demonstrate the role of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the dominant climate mode for the North Atlantic, in governing this variability. Based on three extensive observational records covering the relevant levels of the NAO index, we provide evidence that the North Sea pH and CO 2 system strongly responds to external and internal expressions of the NAO. Under positive NAO, the higher rates of in fl ow of water from the North Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic out fl ow lead to a strengthened north-south biogeochemical divide. The limited mixing between the north and south leads to a steeper gradient in pH and partial pressure of CO 2 (pCO 2 ) between the two regions in the productive period. This is exacerbated further when coinciding with higher sea surface temperature, which concentrates the net community production in the north through shallower strati fi cation. These effects can be obscured by changing properties of the constituent North Sea water masses, which are also in fl uenced by NAO. Our results highlight the importance of examining interannual trends in the North Sea CO 2 system with consideration of the NAO state
Disciplines :
Aquatic sciences & oceanology
Author, co-author :
Salt, L.A.
Thomas, H.
Prowe, A.E.F.
Borges, Alberto  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Unité d'Océanographie chimique (UOC)
Bozec, Y.
de Baar, H.J.W.
Language :
English
Title :
Variability of North Sea pH and CO2 in response to North Atlantic Oscillation forcing
Publication date :
2013
Journal title :
Journal of Geophysical Research. Biogeosciences
ISSN :
2169-8953
eISSN :
2169-8961
Publisher :
Wiley, Hoboken, United States - New Jersey
Volume :
118
Issue :
1-9
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 07 January 2014

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