Seamounts Enhance the Local Emission of CO2 in the Northern South China Sea

Abstract

AbstractThe South China Sea is a typical marginal sea characterized by the presence of numerous seamounts. However, the effect of seamounts on the air‐sea CO2 flux has not yet been well studied. In September 2021, the air‐sea CO2 flux was measured directly using eddy covariance (EC), and discrete waterside sampling was conducted. The results indicate that the northern South China Sea is a source of atmospheric CO2. Furthermore, EC measurements show that the seamount emits CO2 at an average rate of 0.34 mmol m−2 hr−1, nearly double that of non‐seamount areas. We suggest that the upwelling around the seamount transports deep water rich in dissolved inorganic carbon to the upper ocean, increasing the partial pressure of CO2 there. In addition, the increase in nutrients caused by the upwelling would increase the concentration of chlorophyll‐a, resulting in a productive area that emits CO2.