Gerke, Lennart (2020) pCO2 in the Mediterranean Sea during the cruise MSM 72. (Master thesis), Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany, 74 pp.

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Abstract

This thesis analyzed variations in the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) in different parts of the Mediterranean Sea (Med). pCO2 data were recorded by continuous monitoring (underway measurements) during the cruise MSM 72 along an Ionian section (from Crete along the Greek coast until the Otranto Strait) and along a zonal section (from Crete to the Strait of Gibraltar). Different parameters affecting the pCO2 values such as temperature, salinity and currents were also examined and taken into account. The results showed a general undersaturation of the sea surface pCO2 as compared to the atmosphere, which according to previous data was expected for the time of the measurements (March). pCO2 levels stayed relatively constant in the open sea with levels in the Eastern Mediterranean basin slightly higher than those in the Western Mediterranean basin. The most significant pCO2 variations were observed within the different straits along the two sections (Otranto Strait, Strait of Sicily, Strait of Sardinia and Strait of Gibraltar). This was particularly evident close to and in the Strait of Gibraltar, where pCO2 also increased significantly as compared to the Western Mediterranean basin. This increase and the higher degree of pCO2 variations were most likely caused by upwelling CO2-rich water masses and currents/eddies that occurred in the Strait of Gibraltar and the neighboring Alboran Sea at the time of the cruise.

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