A 20-Year Time-Series Analysis of Dissolved Inorganic Carbon using a Transit Time Distribution Method in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf

Recently, a new approach in analyzing the transfer of carbon from land to ocean, the Land-Ocean Aquatic Continuum (LOAC), has been employed to present a more dynamic interface and reduce uncertainty in climate research. This interface is comprised of three components: 1) the classic long-range loop, 2) the upstream loop (connecting land to lakes and rivers), and 3) the downstream loop (connecting lakes and rivers to the open ocean through estuaries and wetlands). The St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf connect the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River to the North Atlantic Ocean and are a prime example of this downstream loop. This project was designed to quantify anthropogenic perturbation of the downstream loop of the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf. This objective will be met by employing a transient tracer distribution model (TTD) utilizing the mean ages of the bottom-waters calculated from tracers in conjunction with a 20-year time series of carbon data. This will allow for the isolation of the anthropogenic signal of carbon dioxide within the interior of the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf which will allow for a more accurate carbon budget within the system.

Faculty Supervisor:

Douglas Wallace

Student:

Partner:

Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Education

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: