Uptake mechanism of anthropogenic CO2 in the Kuroshio Extension region in an ocean general circulation model

Abstract

The uptake mechanism of anthropogenic CO2 in the Kuroshio Extension is examined by a Lagrangian approach using a biogeochemical model embedded in an ocean general circulation model. It is found that the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 is caused mainly by the increase of pCO2 dependency of seawater on temperature, which is caused by greater dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in the modern state than in the pre-industrial state. In contrast with the view of previous studies, the effect of the vertical entrainment, which brings waters that last contacted the atmosphere with the past lower CO2 concentration, is comparatively small. Winter uptake of anthropogenic CO2 increases with the rise of the atmospheric CO2 level, while summer uptake is relatively stable, resulting in a larger seasonal cycle of the uptake. This increase is significant, especially in the Kuroshio Extension region. It is newly suggested that this increase in the Kuroshio Extension region is largely caused by the combined effects of the increased pCO2 dependency of the sea water on the temperature and the seasonal difference in cooling.