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Water column dissolution of aragonite in the Pacific Ocean

Nature volume 312, pages 321–326 (1984)Cite this article

Abstract

Pelagic pteropods are an important component of the oceanic CO2 system. Their shells appear to be a principal source of excess alkalinity in the upper water column of the North Pacific Ocean. Dissolution of aragonite must therefore be taken account of in generating models of the oceanic CO2 system and is also an important cause of sample loss from long-term sediment traps deployed in undersaturated seawater.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St Petersburg, Florida, 33701, USA

    Robert H. Byrne, James G. Acker & Peter R. Betzer

  2. Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, NOAA 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, Washington, 98115, USA

    Richard A. Feely

  3. Honeywell Inc., Mil-Av Division 13350 US Highway 19S, St Petersburg, Florida, 33546, USA

    Marion H. Cates

Authors
  1. Robert H. Byrne
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  2. James G. Acker
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  3. Peter R. Betzer
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  4. Richard A. Feely
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  5. Marion H. Cates
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Byrne, R., Acker, J., Betzer, P. et al. Water column dissolution of aragonite in the Pacific Ocean. Nature 312, 321–326 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/312321a0

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