Evaluation of wave-based parameterizations of air–sea CO2 gas transfer over global oceans

Abstract

The parameterization of air–sea CO2 transfer velocity employed in the estimation of bulk fluxes over global ocean is typically established on wind speed but could suffer from the deviations induced by sea states. In this study, the effectiveness of wave-based formulations are substantiated by reproducing climatological air–sea CO2 flux and gas transfer velocity. Sea states play a significant role in facilitating CO2 transfer, particularly in mid to high latitude regions with high wind speeds. The variability in transfer velocity induced by sea states is estimated up to 19% at the wind speed of 15 m/s. The two wave-based formulations used in this study are combined using a critical value of the Reynolds number. The combined formulation further improves estimates of the CO2 gas transfer velocity.