Influence of benthic regeneration on the biogeochemical cycle of CO2 in littoral ecosystems

The benthic fluxes of inorganic carbon were measured in the Bay of Cádiz, located in the SW of the Iberian Peninsula (Southern Europe). The values measured ranged between 74 and 224 mmol m–2 d–1, which are higher than most reported fluxes. They were linearly correlated with the organic carbon conten...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Forja, JM, Ortega, T, del-Valls, TA, Gómez-Parra, A
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2001
País:México
Institución:UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE BAJA CALIFORNIA
Repositorio:Ciencias Marinas
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:cienciasmarinas.com.mx:article/494
Acceso en línea:https://www.cienciasmarinas.com.mx/index.php/cmarinas/article/view/494
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:inorganic carbon benthic fluxes
littoral ecosystems
CO2 emissions
organic carbon
CO2 cycle
flujos bentónicos de carbóno inorgánico
ecosistemas litorales
emisiones de CO2
ciclo del CO2
Descripción
Sumario:The benthic fluxes of inorganic carbon were measured in the Bay of Cádiz, located in the SW of the Iberian Peninsula (Southern Europe). The values measured ranged between 74 and 224 mmol m–2 d–1, which are higher than most reported fluxes. They were linearly correlated with the organic carbon content in surface sediments. For the Bay of Cádiz, a carbon budget is proposed. It was determined that 53% of the benthic inorganic carbon production is used by the phytoplankton of the area, and 43% is exported by tides to other littoral areas. The rest of the benthic production, together with direct emission of CO2 from intertidal sediments to the atmosphere, yielded a maximum net flux of 5.6 · 108 mol C y–1. If extrapolated to coastal areas globally, these values are particularly significant. Taking 44 mmol m–2 d–1 as an average value for benthic fluxes of dissolved inorganic carbon, it is estimated that the benthic CO2 production by coastal ecosystems is about 4.2 · 1014 mol y–1, similar to the estimated annual CO2 emissions to the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels.