The delta(13)C of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) decrease (the C-13 Suess
effect) in the Indian Ocean was calculated using a multiparameter linear r
egression comparison of the 1978 Geochemical Ocean Sections Study and 1995
World Ocean Circulation Experiment delta(13)C of DIG, hydrographic, and nut
rient data. The surface ocean delta(13)C decrease rate along 80 degrees and
115 degrees E ranged from approximately -0.1 parts per thousand decade(-1)
at 55 degrees S to a maximum of approximately -0.18 parts per thousand dec
ade(-1) at similar to 35 degrees S and decreased northward to around -0.13
parts per thousand decade(-1) at the equator. Using a global extrapolation
based on ocean model results [Bacastow et al., 1996] and previous delta(13)
C changes calculated from 1970 to 1993 station reoccupations in the Pacific
Ocean and based on preformed delta(13)C versus chlorofluorocarbon age tren
ds in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans [Sonnerup et al., 1999], an
ocean-wide average surface ocean delta(13)C rate of change of -0.15 to -0.1
7 parts per thousand decade(-1) was estimated. The average depth-integrated
delta(13)C change rate between 1978 and 1995 along 80 degrees and 115 degr
ees E was -6.9 +/- 0.5 parts per thousand m yr(-1) from 58 degrees S to 5 d
egrees N.