Mechanisms of seasonal variability of carbon cycle in the North Western Pacific: a biogeochemical and carbon modeling study coupled with an operational ocean model product

To understand mechanisms of seasonal carbon cycle in the North Western Pacific, we examined a high-resolution biological and carbon model coupled with an operational ocean model product. The model showed that air-sea CO₂ exchange process were mainly balanced with the vertical mixing at the surface throughout the latitudes, but the detailed features of the balances seasonally changed. The surface patterns in the subarctic region were contrast to that in the subtropical region, and biogeochemical processes were evident at the surface in the subarctic region. The active layer of the biological processes and their resulting DIC consumption deepened to the south within the euphotic layer. Such latitudinal difference of the DIC consumption influences the long term tendency of the carbon cycle and could influence the regional differences of ocean acidification in the North Western Pacific.