Future changes in the Baltic Sea acid–base (pH) and oxygen balances

Possible future changes in Baltic Sea acid–base (pH) and oxygen balances were studied using a catchment–sea coupled model system and numerical experiments based on meteorological and hydrological forcing datasets and scenarios. By using objective statistical methods, climate ru...

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Main Authors: Anders Omstedt, Moa Edman, Björn Claremar, Peter Frodin, Erik Gustafsson, Christoph Humborg, Hanna Hägg, Magnus Mörth, Anna Rutgersson, Guy Schurgers, Benjamin Smith, Teresia Wällstedt, Alla Yurova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Stockholm University Press 2012-12-01
Series:Tellus: Series B, Chemical and Physical Meteorology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.tellusb.net/index.php/tellusb/article/view/19586/pdf_1
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author Anders Omstedt
Moa Edman
Björn Claremar
Peter Frodin
Erik Gustafsson
Christoph Humborg
Hanna Hägg
Magnus Mörth
Anna Rutgersson
Guy Schurgers
Benjamin Smith
Teresia Wällstedt
Alla Yurova
author_facet Anders Omstedt
Moa Edman
Björn Claremar
Peter Frodin
Erik Gustafsson
Christoph Humborg
Hanna Hägg
Magnus Mörth
Anna Rutgersson
Guy Schurgers
Benjamin Smith
Teresia Wällstedt
Alla Yurova
author_sort Anders Omstedt
collection DOAJ
description Possible future changes in Baltic Sea acid–base (pH) and oxygen balances were studied using a catchment–sea coupled model system and numerical experiments based on meteorological and hydrological forcing datasets and scenarios. By using objective statistical methods, climate runs for present climate conditions were examined and evaluated using Baltic Sea modelling. The results indicate that increased nutrient loads will not inhibit future Baltic Sea acidification; instead, the seasonal pH cycle will be amplified by increased biological production and mineralization. All examined scenarios indicate future acidification of the whole Baltic Sea that is insensitive to the chosen global climate model. The main factor controlling the direction and magnitude of future pH changes is atmospheric CO2 concentration (i.e. emissions). Climate change and land-derived changes (e.g. nutrient loads) affect acidification mainly by altering the seasonal cycle and deep-water conditions. Apart from decreasing pH, we also project a decreased saturation state of calcium carbonate, decreased respiration index and increasing hypoxic area – all factors that will threaten the marine ecosystem. We demonstrate that substantial reductions in fossil-fuel burning are needed to minimise the coming pH decrease and that substantial reductions in nutrient loads are needed to reduce the coming increase in hypoxic and anoxic waters.
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spelling doaj.art-a75af1d7499d43609870672cc18407212022-12-22T01:56:39ZengStockholm University PressTellus: Series B, Chemical and Physical Meteorology1600-08892012-12-0164012310.3402/tellusb.v64i0.19586Future changes in the Baltic Sea acid–base (pH) and oxygen balancesAnders OmstedtMoa EdmanBjörn ClaremarPeter FrodinErik GustafssonChristoph HumborgHanna HäggMagnus MörthAnna RutgerssonGuy SchurgersBenjamin SmithTeresia WällstedtAlla YurovaPossible future changes in Baltic Sea acid–base (pH) and oxygen balances were studied using a catchment–sea coupled model system and numerical experiments based on meteorological and hydrological forcing datasets and scenarios. By using objective statistical methods, climate runs for present climate conditions were examined and evaluated using Baltic Sea modelling. The results indicate that increased nutrient loads will not inhibit future Baltic Sea acidification; instead, the seasonal pH cycle will be amplified by increased biological production and mineralization. All examined scenarios indicate future acidification of the whole Baltic Sea that is insensitive to the chosen global climate model. The main factor controlling the direction and magnitude of future pH changes is atmospheric CO2 concentration (i.e. emissions). Climate change and land-derived changes (e.g. nutrient loads) affect acidification mainly by altering the seasonal cycle and deep-water conditions. Apart from decreasing pH, we also project a decreased saturation state of calcium carbonate, decreased respiration index and increasing hypoxic area – all factors that will threaten the marine ecosystem. We demonstrate that substantial reductions in fossil-fuel burning are needed to minimise the coming pH decrease and that substantial reductions in nutrient loads are needed to reduce the coming increase in hypoxic and anoxic waters.http://www.tellusb.net/index.php/tellusb/article/view/19586/pdf_1Ocean acidificationmarine acidificationeutrophicationclimate changeBaltic SeaKattegat
spellingShingle Anders Omstedt
Moa Edman
Björn Claremar
Peter Frodin
Erik Gustafsson
Christoph Humborg
Hanna Hägg
Magnus Mörth
Anna Rutgersson
Guy Schurgers
Benjamin Smith
Teresia Wällstedt
Alla Yurova
Future changes in the Baltic Sea acid–base (pH) and oxygen balances
Tellus: Series B, Chemical and Physical Meteorology
Ocean acidification
marine acidification
eutrophication
climate change
Baltic Sea
Kattegat
title Future changes in the Baltic Sea acid–base (pH) and oxygen balances
title_full Future changes in the Baltic Sea acid–base (pH) and oxygen balances
title_fullStr Future changes in the Baltic Sea acid–base (pH) and oxygen balances
title_full_unstemmed Future changes in the Baltic Sea acid–base (pH) and oxygen balances
title_short Future changes in the Baltic Sea acid–base (pH) and oxygen balances
title_sort future changes in the baltic sea acid x2013 base ph and oxygen balances
topic Ocean acidification
marine acidification
eutrophication
climate change
Baltic Sea
Kattegat
url http://www.tellusb.net/index.php/tellusb/article/view/19586/pdf_1
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