Carbonate system variability in the Gulf of Trieste (North Adriatic Sea)

On an annual basis, surface pCO2 was mainly regulated by the pronounced seasonal cycle of seawater temperature. In winter, surface waters in the GoT were under-saturated with respect to atmospheric CO2, thus acting as a sink of CO2, in particular when strong-wind events enhanced air-sea gas exchange (FCO2 up to −11.9 mmol m−2 d−1). During summer, the temperature-driven increase of pCO2 was dampened by biological CO2 uptake, as consequence a slight over-saturation (pCO2 = 409 μatm) turned out. River plumes were generally associated to higher AT and pCO2 values (up to 2859 μmol kg−1 and 606 μatm respectively), but their effect was highly variable in space and time. During winter, the ambient conditions that favour the formation of dense waters on this continental shelf, also favour a high absorption of CO2 in seawater and its consequent acidification (pHT decrease of −0.006 units during a 7-day Bora wind event). This finding indicates a high vulnerability of North Adriatic Dense Water to atmospheric CO2 increase and ocean acidification process.