Thermal skin effect of the surface ocean and its implications for CO2 uptake
Article Abstract:
Oceanic uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is influenced by a thermal skin effect that exists at the ocean surface. This skin, which consists of the uppermost one millimeter of the oceans, develops because it is about 0.3 degrees C cooler than the water below due to the upward heat flux. This skin generates a greater than expected oceanic absorption of atmospheric CO2 which must be taken into account in any attempt to foresee how atmospheric loading of CO2 will affect global climate. The thermal skin effect will also allow for greater agreement between the various calculations of oceanic CO2 uptake.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
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Large decrease in ocean-surface CO2 fugacity in response to in situ iron fertilization
Article Abstract:
Iron supply to the equatorial Pacific Ocean can regulate the local short-term source of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, but has minimal effect on atmospheric carbon dioxide partial pressure in the long term. If such a regulation takes place likewise in the Southern Ocean, iron bioavailability at high southern latitudes could impact substantially on atmospheric carbon dioxide partial pressure. This was concluded during a second iron fertilization experiment, where a much larger, biologically triggered uptake of surface-water carbon dioxide occurred.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Mixing and convection in the Greenland Sea from a tracer-release experiment
Article Abstract:
Direct measurements of vertical mixing by convection and turbulence are reported from a sulphur hexafluoride tracer-release experiment in the central Greenland Sea gyre. Rapid turbulent vertical mixing was found in the summer, and part of the water column was mixed more vigorously by convection in the following late winter. The results indicated that around 10% of the water in the centre of the gyre was vertically transported in convective plumes.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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