Excess dissolved Ca in the deep ocean: a hydrothermal hypothesis

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

9

Scientific paper

Variations in seawater alkalinity and dissolved calcium provide information essential to establishing the integrated deep ocean calcium carbonate dissolution flux. High-precision Ca measurements reported here confirm earlier suggestions that the deep ocean contains higher levels of dissolved Ca than expected from calcium carbonate dissolution only. I propose that the mid-depth Ca excess is a manifestation of the circulation of seawater through hydrothermal systems at mid-ocean ridges. Qualitative agreement with δ3He distributions, and evidence for deep water Mg depletions, support this hypothesis. The magnitude of the mid-depth Ca excess implies a total hydrothermal flux larger than expected from the corresponding excess in 3He, and points to the relative importance of low-temperature diffuse fluxes versus high-temperature discrete fluxes for elements such as Ca. The implied total hydrothermal flux for Ca is consistent with its oceanic mass balance requirements, and resolves several long-standing problems associated with our understanding of the chemical evolution of the ocean, and in particular its low alkaline content.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Excess dissolved Ca in the deep ocean: a hydrothermal hypothesis does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Excess dissolved Ca in the deep ocean: a hydrothermal hypothesis, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Excess dissolved Ca in the deep ocean: a hydrothermal hypothesis will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1000862

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.