Redox reactions and weak buffering capacity lead to acidification in the Chesapeake Bay

Wei-Jun Cai (), Wei-Jen Huang, George W. Luther, Denis Pierrot, Ming Li, Jeremy Testa, Ming Xue, Andrew Joesoef, Roger Mann, Jean Brodeur, Yuan-Yuan Xu, Baoshan Chen, Najid Hussain, George G. Waldbusser, Jeffrey Cornwell and W. Michael Kemp
Additional contact information
Wei-Jun Cai: University of Delaware
Wei-Jen Huang: University of Delaware
George W. Luther: University of Delaware
Denis Pierrot: University of Miami
Ming Li: University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Jeremy Testa: University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Ming Xue: University of Delaware
Andrew Joesoef: University of Delaware
Roger Mann: Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Jean Brodeur: University of Delaware
Yuan-Yuan Xu: University of Delaware
Baoshan Chen: University of Delaware
Najid Hussain: University of Delaware
George G. Waldbusser: Oregon State University
Jeffrey Cornwell: University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
W. Michael Kemp: University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract The combined effects of anthropogenic and biological CO2 inputs may lead to more rapid acidification in coastal waters compared to the open ocean. It is less clear, however, how redox reactions would contribute to acidification. Here we report estuarine acidification dynamics based on oxygen, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), pH, dissolved inorganic carbon and total alkalinity data from the Chesapeake Bay, where anthropogenic nutrient inputs have led to eutrophication, hypoxia and anoxia, and low pH. We show that a pH minimum occurs in mid-depths where acids are generated as a result of H2S oxidation in waters mixed upward from the anoxic depths. Our analyses also suggest a large synergistic effect from river–ocean mixing, global and local atmospheric CO2 uptake, and CO2 and acid production from respiration and other redox reactions. Together they lead to a poor acid buffering capacity, severe acidification and increased carbonate mineral dissolution in the USA’s largest estuary.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00417-7

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