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Temporal evolution of anthropogenic carbon in the subpolar North Atlantic gyre between 2011 - 2021
The ocean plays a major role in the moderation of anthropogenically-induced climate change by absorbing roughly a quarter of anthropogenic CO2 (Cant). This absorption of Cant by the ocean leads to ocean acidification, threatening marine’s life. The North Atlantic Ocean encompasses the highest ocean storage capacity of Cant per unit area. The subpolar North Atlantic gyre is subject to a large seasonal to decadal variability that might impact Cant storage. To investigate Cant evolution over the 2011-2021 period and its relationship with ocean dynamics in this region, we use the Argo-O2 array combined with neural networks and a back-calculation method (φCTO method). We compute monthly time-series of Cant in the Labrador and Irminger Seas. We show that Cant concentrations in the first 2000 dbar of the Labrador and Irminger Seas are strongly affected by winter deep convection, especially between winter 2015 and winter 2018. The Cant inventories in the top 2000 dbar of the Labrador and Irminger Seas increase through time, at rates of 1.63±0.32% yr-1 and 1.49±0.30% yr-1, respectively. Our monthly Argo-based Cant estimates complement high-quality ship-based measurements acquired at a biennial or lower frequency. Additionally, this study shows that Cant concentrations and Cant inventories in deep convection areas may depend on the method employed to calculate Cant. As a consequence, we take over the model ensemble idea and propose to use several methods to compute Cant, which would give its methodological uncertainty.
Keyword(s)
argo floats, carbon cycle, neural networks, north atlantic ocean
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File | Pages | Size | Access | |
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Preprint | 33 | 1 Mo |