Spatial distribution of carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes in the Sunda Strait and west of Sumatra waters

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the main global warming gases which cause global climate changes, droughts, forest fires, sea level rise, and flooding. Natural CO2 sinks are the mainland, oceans, and atmosphere. Indonesian waters have the potential to absorb CO2 due to their high primary productivity. This study aimed to understand the variability of CO2 in order to determine whether Indonesian waters act as carbon sources or carbon sinks and fill the CO2 data gaps. The field survey was conducted at the Sunda Strait and west Sumatra waters during February–April 2010, using RV Baruna Jaya III. The Sunda Strait has a role as a carbon source, whereas the west of Sumatra waters as carbon sinks. The partial pressure of CO2 is more influenced by the pH. The average net flux of CO2 in the Sunda strait was 841.603 mol CO2cm−2day−1, which shows the release of CO2 from the ocean into the atmosphere occurs in this region. On the other hand, the average net flux of CO2 in the west of Sumatra was -945.292 mol CO2cm−2day−1, which shows the absorption of CO2 by the ocean occurs in the region.