SEDL / STP / STP573-EB / STP38998S

Measurable Inorganic Carbon Parameters in Seawater

Wong, CS
Head, senior technician, and research scientist, Ocean Chemistry Division, Marine Sciences Directorate, Pacific Region, Victoria, British Columbia

Bellegay, RD
Head, senior technician, and research scientist, Ocean Chemistry Division, Marine Sciences Directorate, Pacific Region, Victoria, British Columbia

Cornford, AB
Head, senior technician, and research scientist, Ocean Chemistry Division, Marine Sciences Directorate, Pacific Region, Victoria, British Columbia

Pages: 11    Published: Jan 1975

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Abstract

Existing techniques in use at the Ocean Chemistry Laboratory for measureable parameters of inorganic carbon in seawater are discussed. These parameters are dissolved inorganic carbon (ΣCO²), carbonate alkalinity, partial pressure of CO² in air and seawater (pCO²), and C¹³/C¹² ratio and C¹⁴/C¹² ratio, measured by infrared analysis, potentiometric titration, mass spectrometry, and low level radioactive gas counting, respectively. The significance of the measured variability in atmospheric CO² and exchange with oceanic CO² is outlined.