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Temperature, fossil CO2 accumulation and carbonate ion concentration of the oceanic mixed layer

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Abstract

SEVERAL authors1–4 have recently suggested that there will be a dramatic accumulation of fossil CO2 in the oceanic mixed layer by the end of this century. If these calculations are correct the predicted increases in the atmospheric partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pcd) and in the total concentration of carbon dioxide species in the mixed layer (Cτ) do not imply catastrophic decreases in the carbonate ion concentration1,3 at 25° C (ref. 5). Two important points remain unresolved, however, and they require further clarification.

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  1. The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PLl 2PB, UK

    M. WHITFIELD

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  1. M. WHITFIELD
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WHITFIELD, M. Temperature, fossil CO2 accumulation and carbonate ion concentration of the oceanic mixed layer. Nature 249, 818–820 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/249818a0

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