A study of hydrobiogeochemichal parameters that take part on carbon sequestration in coastal marine systems

• Grant number: 12/17656-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2012
• End date: April 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Chemical Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Elisabete de Santis Braga da Graça Saraiva
• Grantee: Leonardo Barreto Mourão Bertini
• Host Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/50582-0 - Balance study of the carbon cycle in the coastal region and its potential ocean transportation: with emphasis on the coast of Pernambuco (Carecos), AP.TEM

Abstract

Once CO2 enters the marine systems, different pathways are activated in order to the retention and new release to the atmosphere. Some signs, when followed, may indicate CO2 paths through these marine systems and higher (or lower) retention of carbon in these aquatic systems. This study's main goal is to understand the behavior of dissolved carbon in the marine system considering the inorganic and organic fractions of its cycle based on the effects observed in abiotic and biotic variables, which are directly linked to the CO2 input (such as pH, total alkalinity, dissolved calcium, photosynthetic pigments, and nutrients), and how other environmental factors take part on the CO2 solubility and on the system's metabolism, (such as salinity, temperature, oxygen and dissolved organic matter), thus helping to diagnose the role of different water systems and their potential when it comes to carbon sequestration.(AU)