Since the onset of the industrial revolution, mankind has increasingly released CO2 to the atmosphere, which significantly contributes to human induced climate change. The atmospheric CO2 content would be higher if it was not for nature’s ability to absorb CO2. At present, about 25 percent of annual CO2 emissions is absorbed by the ocean. The CARBOOCEAN-project, which is coordinated by the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, is dedicated to improve quantification of the oceanic uptake of anthropogenic CO2. More than seventy scientists in the project meet in Solstrand outside Bergen this week to assess the results.
In considerable areas of the North Atlantic and the Southern Ocean the surface CO2 partial pressure has temporarily increased faster than that in the atmosphere, which indicates a decrease in the ocean CO2 sink. This potential decrease in CO2 sink and the underlying mechanisms must be observed further.
Future scenarios with coupled ocean-atmosphere-land models show that the carbon cycle climate feedback re-enforces climate change. As shown by Earth system models atmospheric CO2 concentration by the end of 21st century will be 6% to 40% higher than previous estimates. Emission targets for CO2 need to be adjusted accordingly.
A consequence of absorption of human-produced CO2 in the oceans is acidification. Measurements show that the pH value of seawater is sinking. Model results show consequences of ocean acidification at the ocean floor. Mesocosm experiments show the reaction of ecosystems for sinking pH.
The established North Atlantic carbon observing system delivers CO2 flux measurements with unprecedented accuracy. Cutting edge observational data syntheses on global surface ocean CO2 and Atlantic 3-D carbon data have been carried out with international colleagues in a truly worldwide effort.
Time/Place: 5-9 October, Solstrand Hotel & Bad, Os, Norway
Contact person:
Prof. Christoph Heinze, CARBOOCEAN project director, University of Bergen and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, heinze@gfi.uib.no, mobile +47 975 57 119.
Key experts on marine carbon cycle meets in Bergen
The biggest EU-project on ocean carbon sources and sinks concludes after five years of study • the CO2 uptake in the North Atlantic and the Southern Ocean appears to be reduced • the carbon cycle climate feedback re-enforces climate change • ocean acidification is happening.
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