Differential roles of anthropogenic CO2 in mediating seasonal amplitudes of ocean acidification metrics over a coastal coral habitat

Abstract

Seasonal-scale local forcings sharply reduce the coastal pH and aragonite saturation state (Ωaragonite). However, habitat-specific seasonality and control change signatures under increasing atmospheric CO2 are still poorly characterized. Here, we investigated carbonate system parameter dynamics over a Dongshan coral habitat that is greatly influenced by seasonal current patterns on the western Taiwan Strait coast. Specifically, relatively low pH and Ωaragonite were observed in the trial zone throughout the seasons. Using a first-order Taylor decomposition considering biological carbon metabolism, we suggest that the higher net aerobic respiration related to intense local human activities produced worse ocean acidity in the trial zone. Seasonally, a decreasing Ωaragonite trend was observed from the transition to the northeast monsoon seasons, mainly controlled by dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) divergence among seasons. The pH/hydrogen ion concentration ([H+]) seasonal cycle was determined by both DIC and temperature components, revealing the lowest/highest value in the southwest monsoon season. Based on ocean acidification scenario modeling forced with a business-as-usual emissions scenario, the Ωaragonite seasonal amplitude attenuation was projected to exceed 30% during the 21st century. However, [H+] seasonal amplitude was amplified over 170%. The attenuation in the Ωaragonite seasonal amplitude mainly resulted from an increase in anthropogenic CO2 seasonal divergence. The increase in [H+] seasonal amplitude mostly followed from an increase in the [H+] sensitivities to DIC and temperature changes.