Distribution of total carbonate and related properties in the North Pacific along 30°N

Abstract

Cross sections of the total carbonate (TC), titration alkalinity (TA), and p H were observed during the WOCE/JGOFS‐P2 cruise (30°N, 130°E –122°W). The increases in TC in the years since 1973 are calculated by the comparison of TC data observed during P2 and those observed during the Geochemical Ocean Section Study. At stations east of 170°W, TC has increased proportionally to the atmospheric increase of CO 2 in water shallower than the σ θ = 26.20 density surface, while at stations west of 180°E TC had increased proportionally to the atmospheric increase only in water shallower than the σ θ = 25.40 density surface. Increase in the column inventory of TC is 143±32 gC/m 2 on average and does not significantly differ with longitude.