Since the growth rate of CO 2 in the atmosphere is less than the rate of carbon release, some of the anthropogenic carbon released to the atmosphere must be absorbed by either the terrestrial biosphere or the oceans. The oceans have been suggested as a repository for carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through a chemical and biological pathway.
Carbon dioxide dissolves readily in the surface oceans.
The dissolved gas reacts with water to form carbonic acid which rapidly dissociates to bicarbonate and carbonate ions. The uncertain role of the ocean in absorbing anthropogenic carbon from the atmosphere has stimulated interest in the cycling and fate of carbon in the sea. Table 1 presents the summary of the cruises. Summary of PMEL Cruises 1986 to 1989. The distance given is the distance over which data were collected along the cruise track.