Seasonal and long-term changes in pH in the Dutch coastal zone

[摘要] Recent observations and modelling studies suggest that biogeochemical changescan mask atmospheric CO₂-induced pH decreases. Data collected by theDutch monitoring authorities in different coastal systems (North Sea, WaddenSea, Ems-Dollard, Eastern Scheldt and Scheldt estuary) since 1975 provide anexcellent opportunity to test whether this is the case in the Dutch coastalzone. The time-series were analysed using Multi-Resolution Analysis (MRA)which resulted in the identification of system-dependent patterns on bothseasonal and intra-annual time scales. The observed rates of pH changegreatly exceed those expected from enhanced CO₂ uptake, thus suggestingthat other biogeochemical processes, possibly related to changes in nutrientloading, can play a dominant role in ocean acidification.

[学科分类] 地球化学与岩石