Sea-ice loss amplifies summertime decadal CO2 increase in the western Arctic Ocean

Zhangxian Ouyang, Di Qi, Liqi Chen, Taro Takahashi, Wenli Zhong, Michael D. DeGrandpre, Baoshan Chen, Zhongyong Gao, Shigeto Nishino, Akihiko Murata, Heng Sun, Lisa L. Robbins, Meibing Jin and Wei-Jun Cai ()
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Zhangxian Ouyang: University of Delaware
Di Qi: Third Institute of Oceanography, MNR
Liqi Chen: Third Institute of Oceanography, MNR
Taro Takahashi: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University
Wenli Zhong: Ocean University of China
Michael D. DeGrandpre: University of Montana
Baoshan Chen: University of Delaware
Zhongyong Gao: Third Institute of Oceanography, MNR
Shigeto Nishino: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
Akihiko Murata: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
Heng Sun: Third Institute of Oceanography, MNR
Lisa L. Robbins: University of South Florida
Meibing Jin: International Arctic Research Center
Wei-Jun Cai: University of Delaware

Nature Climate Change, 2020, vol. 10, issue 7, 678-684

Abstract: Abstract Rapid climate warming and sea-ice loss have induced major changes in the sea surface partial pressure of CO2 ($$p_{{\mathrm {CO}}_2}$$pCO2). However, the long-term trends in the western Arctic Ocean are unknown. Here we show that in 1994–2017, summer $$p_{{\mathrm {CO}}_2}$$pCO2 in the Canada Basin increased at twice the rate of atmospheric increase. Warming and ice loss in the basin have strengthened the $$p_{{\mathrm {CO}}_2}$$pCO2 seasonal amplitude, resulting in the rapid decadal increase. Consequently, the summer air–sea CO2 gradient has reduced rapidly, and may become near zero within two decades. In contrast, there was no significant $$p_{{\mathrm {CO}}_2}$$pCO2 increase on the Chukchi Shelf, where strong and increasing biological uptake has held $$p_{{\mathrm {CO}}_2}$$pCO2 low, and thus the CO2 sink has increased and may increase further due to the atmospheric CO2 increase. Our findings elucidate the contrasting physical and biological drivers controlling sea surface $$p_{{\mathrm {CO}}_2}$$pCO2 variations and trends in response to climate change in the Arctic Ocean.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41558-020-0784-2

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