Articles | Volume 11, issue 24
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-7349-2014
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-7349-2014
Research article
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19 Dec 2014
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 19 Dec 2014

Processes determining the marine alkalinity and calcium carbonate saturation state distributions

B. R. Carter, J. R. Toggweiler, R. M. Key, and J. L. Sarmiento

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We examine and discuss the portion of ocean alkalinity that varies in response to carbonate cycling and riverine alkalinity inputs using a new tracer, Alk*. We use this tracer to quantify the controls on marine carbonate saturation: at depth, we find carbonate cycling to be a minor control relative to organic matter cycling and pressure changes. In well-equilibrated surface water, we find carbonate cycling to be less important than temperature changes and freshwater cycling.
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