ENTRAPMENT OF CO2 BY OCEANS

The difference between the amount of emitted CO2 and the amount of CO2 found in the atmosphere (considered as “trapped” by the earths clear and salt waters) varies greatly when computed on an annual basis.  The charts below show that variance when considered as annual, five year, and decadal averages.

Looking at the decadal average (last) chart, there is an indication that the ability of the oceans to absorb CO2 is decreasing.  This may be due to the fact that Henry’s Law dependency on temperature is in effect causing more loss of CO2 as ocean temperature increases, although the increased pressure (atmospheric concentration) tends to counter that effect.

DIC (DISSOLVED INORGANIC CARBON) vs pH
“DIC” is dissolved inorganic carbon in water, as carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), bicarbonate (HCO₃)^– and carbonate ions (CO₃)⁼ which in combination controls the pH (hydrogen ion concentration) or “acidity” of water.  This study was done for seawater at a mean salt concentration of 35 parts mass per thousand parts mass of pure water, showing the relation of DIC to pH at temperatures of 0C to 30C in 5C increments.