Atmospheric CO2 evasion, dissolved inorganic carbon production, and net heterotrophy in the York River estuary

Direct measurements of the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO(2)) and dissolved i norganic carbon (DIC) were made over a 2-yr period in surface waters of the York River estuary in Virginia. The pCO(2) in surface waters exceeded that in the overlying atmosphere, indicating that the estuary was a net source of CO2 to the atmosphere at most times and locations. Salinity-based DIC mi xing curves indicate there was also an internal source of both DIC and alka linity, implying net alkalinity generation within the estuary. The DIC and alkalinity source displayed seasonal patterns similar to that of pCO(2) and were reproducible over a 2-yr study period. We propose that the source of inorganic carbon necessary for both the susta ined CO2 evasion to the atmosphere and the advective export of DIC is respi ration in excess of primary production (e.g., net heterotrophy). The rates of CO2 evasion and DIC export were estimated to provide an annual rate of n et heterotrophy of similar to 100 g C m(-2) yr(-1). Approximately 40% of th is excess inorganic carbon production was exported as DIC to the coastal oc ean, whereas 60% was lost as CO2 evasion to the atmosphere. The alkalinity generation needed to sustain the export of inorganic carbon, as HCO3-, is m ost likely provided by net sulfate reduction in sediments. Accumulation of sulfide in the sediments of a representative site directly adjacent to the York River estuary is sufficient to account for the net export of alkalinit y. The seasonality of net heterotrophy causes large variations in annual CO 2 and DIC concentrations, and it stresses the need for comprehensive tempor al data sets when reporting annual rates of CO2 evasion, DIC advection, and net heterotrophy.