Carbonate Chemistry in the Coastal Zone Responds More Strongly to Eutrophication than to Ocean Acidification

• Published in: Limnology and oceanography Vol. 55; no. 1; pp. 346 - 353
• Main Authors: Borges, Alberto V., Gypens, Nathalie
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Waco, TX American Society of Limnology and Oceanography 01.01.2010; American Society of Limnology & Oceanography/Kansas
• Subjects: Aquatic sciences & oceanology; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; Geochemistry; Life sciences; Marine; Mineralogy; Physical and chemical properties of sea water; Physics of the oceans; Sciences aquatiques & océanologie; Sciences du vivant; Silicates; Water geochemistry; Europe; Atlantic Ocean; English Channel; Northeast Atlantic; North Atlantic; North Sea; Western Europe; sea water; rivers; stream transport; carbon dioxide; coastal effects; accumulation; eutrophication; acidification; carbon cycle; carbonates; coastal environment; nutrients; nearshore environment; surface water; coastal zone; calcium carbonate; hydrochemistry; marine environment; winds; carbon; numerical models; calcification
• ISSN: 0024-3590; 1939-5590; 1939-5590
• DOI: 10.4319/lo.2010.55.1.0346

The accumulation of anthropogenic CO₂ in the ocean has altered carbonate chemistry in surface waters since preindustrial times and is expected to continue to do so in the coming centuries. Changes in carbonate chemistry can modify the rates and fates of marine primary production and calcification. These modifications can in turn lead to feedback on increasing atmospheric CO₂. We show, using a numerical model, that in highly productive nearshore coastal marine environments, the effect of eutrophication on carbon cycling can counter the effect of ocean acidification on the carbonate chemistry of surface waters. Also, changes in river nutrient delivery due to management regulation policies can lead to stronger changes in carbonate chemistry than ocean acidification. Whether antagonistic or synergistic, the response of carbonate chemistry to changes of nutrient delivery to the coastal zone (increase or decrease, respectively) is stronger than ocean acidification.