Articles | Volume 12, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-67-2015
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-12-67-2015
Technical note
 | 
06 Jan 2015
Technical note |  | 06 Jan 2015

Technical Note: Large overestimation of pCO2 calculated from pH and alkalinity in acidic, organic-rich freshwaters

G. Abril, S. Bouillon, F. Darchambeau, C. R. Teodoru, T. R. Marwick, F. Tamooh, F. Ochieng Omengo, N. Geeraert, L. Deirmendjian, P. Polsenaere, and A. V. Borges

Viewed

Total article views: 7,950 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
4,395 3,355 200 7,950 136 226
  • HTML: 4,395
  • PDF: 3,355
  • XML: 200
  • Total: 7,950
  • BibTeX: 136
  • EndNote: 226
Views and downloads (calculated since 31 Jul 2014)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 31 Jul 2014)

Cited

Saved (final revised paper)

Saved (preprint)

Latest update: 13 Dec 2024
Download
Short summary
We compared pCO2 data calculated from pH and alkalinity from those measured directly in a large array of temperate and tropical freshwaters. This revealed a large overestimation (up to 300%) of calculated pCO2 in the case of acidic and organic-rich waters, due to a contribution of organic acids anions to alkalinity and a lower buffering capacity of the carbonate system at acidic pH. Given the widespread distribution of acidic freshwaters, direct measurements of water pCO2 are encouraged.
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint