Natural variability in air-sea gas transfer efficiency of CO₂.

ABSTRACT: The flux of CO₂ between the atmosphere and the ocean is often estimated as the air-sea gas concentration difference multiplied by the gas transfer velocity (K₆₆₀). The first order driver for K₆₆₀ over the ocean is wind through its influence on near surface hydrodynamics. However, field observations have shown substantial variability in the wind speed dependencies of K₆₆₀. In this study we measured K₆₆₀ with the eddy covariance technique during a ~ 11,000 km long Southern Ocean transect. In parallel, we made a novel measurement of the gas transfer efficiency (GTE) based on partial equilibration of CO₂ using a Segmented Flow Coil Equilibrator system. GTE varied by 20% during the transect, was distinct in different water masses

SUBMITTER: Yang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8245487 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature