CONTROLS ON F(CO2) IN THE SOUTH-PACIFIC

One aspect of the JGOFS/WOCE programs is the generation of a global CO 2 data set which will be significantly better in sampling density and quality than existed before. This data will be extremely valuable to g eochemists and modelers interested in the global carbon cycle. Neverth eless, it will still be necessary to interpolate measurements both tem porally and spatially to incorporate the results into global circulati on models. This paper presents a new method that attempts to quantify the processes known to influence surface ocean CO2 fugacity. The metho d is tested using data collected along a Pacific WOCE section (P17E) a cross the Southern Ocean. These calculations offer more insight into t he factors controlling f(CO2) than published analysis/interpolation sc hemes in that individual effects are quantified without resorting to e mpirical relationships. The procedure works extremely well for spatial interpolation along section P17E and sheds insight into physical proc esses (mixing and air-sea gas exchange) where model results differ fro m observations. If the method proves to be robust when applied to othe r areas, it will be a significant step toward interpolation of sparse ocean CO2 measurements in order to calculate either regional or global CO2 fluxes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.