Different oceanic features of anthropogenic CO₂ and CFCs

Abstract.

The relationship between CFC-11 and anthropogenic CO₂ (ΔDIC_ant) concentrations in the world ocean are evaluated based on a simple off-line tracer ventilation model. Since the different solubility characteristics of CFC-11 and ΔDIC_ant cause major differences in their oceanic uptake features, indicating different uptake pathways, a care should be taken while assessing ΔDIC_ant in the oceans relying on CFC-11 concentrations. Evidence will be provided that CFC-11 storage occurs mainly in colder, high latitude regions, whereas the warmer, low latitude regions of the world ocean play an important role in both storing and absorbing anthropogenic CO₂. This can be caused by an increased CO₂ uptake or by a reduced CO₂ release to the atmosphere at lower latitudes, both as a result of increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations.