Articles | Volume 16, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-16-847-2020
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-16-847-2020
Research article
 | 
21 Jul 2020
Research article |  | 21 Jul 2020

Current estimates of K1* and K2* appear inconsistent with measured CO2 system parameters in cold oceanic regions

Olivier Sulpis, Siv K. Lauvset, and Mathilde Hagens

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Short summary
As direct measurements of seawater carbonate system variables, such as pH, are difficult to obtain, scientists use equilibrium constants to compute them from known variables. Using a compilation of in situ data, we show that the set of equilibrium constants preferred by the community is not consistent with measurements in cold, polar waters, where human-made ocean acidification is spreading rapidly. Closing knowledge gaps regarding seawater carbon chemistry in polar regions should be a priority.