Polar and subpolar coastal waters drive most of the global ocean carbon sink
In short: A new quantitative synthesis of the global coastal ocean carbon cycle found that these regions act as a significant sink for atmospheric CO2. The researchers estimated that the globally integrated coastal ocean carbon flux is approximately -0.25 Pg C per year, with more than 90% of this CO2 removal occurring specifically in polar and subpolar regions.
By reanalyzing air-sea CO2 exchange, the study provides a new estimate for how much carbon the coastal ocean absorbs. The researchers used a framework to classify coastal systems based on whether they are dominated by rivers or the open ocean. However, the review notes that significant uncertainties remain in projecting future carbon cycle changes due to complex, concurrent shifts in the land-ocean-atmosphere system.
Why it matters: The coastal ocean is a vital carbon sink, but its future stability depends on complex global environmental shifts.
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