Coastal upwelling fluxes of O<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>O, and CO<sub>2</sub> assessed from continuous atmospheric observations at Trinidad, California
Continuous atmospheric records of O<sub>2</sub>/N<sub>2</sub>, CO<sub>2</sub> and N<sub>2</sub>O obtained at Trinidad, California document the effects of air-sea exchange during coastal upwelling and plankton bloom events. The atmospheric records provi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2004-01-01
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| Series: | Biogeosciences |
| Online Access: | http://www.biogeosciences.net/1/101/2004/bg-1-101-2004.pdf |
| Summary: | Continuous atmospheric records of O<sub>2</sub>/N<sub>2</sub>, CO<sub>2</sub> and N<sub>2</sub>O obtained at Trinidad, California document the effects of air-sea exchange during coastal upwelling and plankton bloom events. The atmospheric records provide continuous observations of air-sea fluxes related to synoptic scale upwelling events over several upwelling seasons. Combined with satellite, buoy and local meteorology data, calculated anomalies in O<sub>2</sub>/N<sub>2</sub> and N<sub>2</sub>O were utilized in a simple atmospheric transport model to compute air-sea fluxes during coastal upwelling. CO<sub>2</sub> fluxes were linked to the oceanic component of the O<sub>2</sub> fluxes through local hydrographic data and estimated as a function of upwelling intensity (surface ocean temperature and wind speed). Regional air-sea fluxes of O<sub>2</sub>/N<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>O, and CO<sub>2</sub> during coastal upwelling were estimated with the aid of satellite wind and SST data. Upwelling CO<sub>2</sub> fluxes were found to represent ~10% of export production along the northwest coast of North America. Synoptic scale upwelling events impact the net exchange of atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> along the coastal margin, and will vary in response to the frequency and duration of alongshore winds that are subject to climate change. |
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| ISSN: | 1726-4170 1726-4189 |