Anthropogenic carbon pathways towards the North Atlantic interior revealed by Argo-O2, neural networks and back-calculations

Type Article
Date 2024-02
Language English
Author(s) Asselot RemyORCID4, Carracedo LidiaORCID1, Thierry VirginieORCID1, Mercier HerleORCID3, Bajon RaphaelORCID1, Pérez Fiz F.ORCID2
Affiliation(s) 1 : University of Brest, Ifremer, CNRS, IRD, Laboratory of Spatial and Physical Oceanography (LOPS), 29280, Plouzané, France
2 : Institute of Marine Investigations (IIM, CSIC), 6 Eduardo Cabello Street, 36208, Vigo, Spain
3 : University of Brest, Ifremer, CNRS, IRD, Laboratory of Spatial and Physical Oceanography (LOPS), 29280, Plouzané, France
4 : University of Brest, Ifremer, CNRS, IRD, Laboratory of Spatial and Physical Oceanography (LOPS), 29280, Plouzané, France
Source Nature Communications (2041-1723) (Springer Science and Business Media LLC), 2024-02 , Vol. 15 , N. 1 , P. 1630 (12p.)
DOI 10.1038/s41467-024-46074-5
Abstract

The subpolar North Atlantic (SPNA) is a region of high anthropogenic CO2 (Cant) storage per unit area. Although the average Cant distribution is well documented in this region, the Cant pathways towards the ocean interior remain largely unresolved. We used observations from three Argo-O2 floats spanning 2013-2018 within the SPNA, combined with existing neural networks and back-calculations, to determine the Cant evolution along the float pathways from a quasi-lagrangian perspective. Our results show that Cant follows a stepwise deepening along its way through the SPNA. The upper subtropical waters have a stratified Cant distribution that homogenizes within the winter mixed layer by Subpolar Mode Water formation in the Iceland Basin. In the Irminger and Labrador Basins, the high-Cant footprint (> 55 μmol kg−1) is mixed down to 1400 and 1800 dbar, respectively, by deep winter convection. As a result, the maximum Cant concentration is diluted (<45 μmol kg−1). Our study highlights the role of water mass transformation as a first-order mechanism for Cant penetration into the ocean. It also demonstrates the potential of Argo-O2 observations, combined with existing methods, to obtain reliable Cant estimates, opening ways to study the oceanic Cant content at high spatio-temporal resolution.

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