M. Yamamoto-Kawai et al., Science 326, Aragonite undersaturation in the Arctic Ocean: Effects of ocean acidification and sea ice melt

Science (20 November 2009), Vol. 326, No. 5956, pp. 1098-1100; DOI: 10.1126/science.1174190

Aragonite undersaturation in the Arctic Ocean: Effects of ocean acidification and sea ice melt

Michiyo Yamamoto-Kawai^*, Fiona A. McLaughlin, Eddy C. Carmack (Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Institute of Ocean Sciences, 9860 West Saanich Road, Sidney, BC V8L 4B2, Canada), Shigeto Nishino (Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 2-15 Natsushima, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 237-0061, Japan) and Koji Shimada (Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 2-15 Natsushima, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 237-0061, and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 4-5-7, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan)

Abstract

The increase in anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions and attendant increase in ocean acidification and sea ice melt act together to decrease the saturation state of calcium carbonate in the Canada Basin of the Arctic Ocean. In 2008, surface waters were undersaturated with respect to aragonite, a relatively soluble form of calcium carbonate found in plankton and invertebrates. Undersaturation was found to be a direct consequence of the recent extensive melting of sea ice in the Canada Basin. In addition, the retreat of the ice edge well past the shelf-break has produced conditions favorable to enhanced upwelling of subsurface, aragonite-undersaturated water onto the Arctic continental shelf. Undersaturation will affect both planktonic and benthic calcifying biota and therefore the composition of the Arctic ecosystem.

^*Correspondence e-mail: michiyo.kawai@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Link to abstract:  http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/326/5956/1098