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Deep-ocean gradients in the concentration of dissolved organic carbon

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  • Dennis A. Hansell

    (Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Inc.)

  • Craig A. Carlson

    (Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Inc.)

Abstract

There is as much carbon in dissolved organic material in the oceans as there is CO2 in the atmosphere1, but the role of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the global carbon cycle is poorly understood. DOC in the deep ocean has long been considered to be uniformly distributed2,3 and hence largely refractory to biological decay4. But the turnover of DOC, and therefore its contribution to the carbon cycle, has been evident from radiocarbon dating studies5,6. Here we report the results of a global survey of deep-ocean DOC concentrations, including the region of deep-water formation in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Circumpolar Current of the Southern Ocean, and the Indian and Pacific oceans. DOC concentrations decreased by 14 micromolar from the northern North Atlantic Ocean to the northern North Pacific Ocean, representing a 29% reduction in concentration. We evaluate the spatial patterns in terms of source/sink processes. Inputs of DOC to the deep ocean are identifiable in the mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, but the mechanisms have not been identified with certainty.

Suggested Citation

  • Dennis A. Hansell & Craig A. Carlson, 1998. "Deep-ocean gradients in the concentration of dissolved organic carbon," Nature, Nature, vol. 395(6699), pages 263-266, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:395:y:1998:i:6699:d:10.1038_26200
    DOI: 10.1038/26200
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    Cited by:

    1. Ina M. Deutschmann & Erwan Delage & Caterina R. Giner & Marta Sebastián & Julie Poulain & Javier Arístegui & Carlos M. Duarte & Silvia G. Acinas & Ramon Massana & Josep M. Gasol & Damien Eveillard & S, 2024. "Disentangling microbial networks across pelagic zones in the tropical and subtropical global ocean," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Charissa M. Ferrera & Gil S. Jacinto & Chen-Tung Arthur Chen & Hon-Kit Lui, 2018. "Organic Carbon Concentrations in High- and Low-Productivity Areas of the Sulu Sea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-19, June.

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