Anthropogenically stimulated carbonate dissolution in the global shelf seafloor is an important and fast climate feedback

Anthropogenically stimulated carbonate dissolution in the global shelf seafloor is an important and fast climate feedback | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 11 June 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Anthropogenically stimulated carbonate dissolution in the global shelf seafloor is an important and fast climate feedback Authors : Sebastiaan J. Van de Velde 0000-0001-9999-5586 [email protected] , Pam Vervoort 0000-0001-9800-6723 , Robert Owain Smith 0000-0001-5931-3843 , Cliff Law , and Kim Currie Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174965587.73268877/v1 Published AGU Advances Version of record Peer review timeline 303 views 175 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Carbonate mineral production and dissolution regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations via modulation of the ocean alkalinity content. The anthropogenic rise in atmospheric CO2 reduces calcification rates and enhances calcium carbonate dissolution, which increases ocean alkalinity, counteracts acidification, and stimulates ocean CO2 uptake. However, carbonate dissolution takes place primarily in the deep ocean, so this feedback is slow, maintaining ocean CO2 uptake over millennial timescales. Here we present evidence that seawater alkalinity concentrations on the continental shelf are increasing on annual-decadal timescales, at a rate that is orders of magnitude faster than the deep ocean feedback. Biogeochemical model analyses suggest this fast feedback results from calcium carbonate dissolution in the shelf seafloor driven by increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Earth-system modelling indicates that shelf carbonate dissolution has been accelerating since the 1800s and may account for up to 30% of the missing ~0.3 Pg C yr-1 in ocean model carbon budgets. Supplementary Material File (1034747_0_merged_1747842924.pdf) Download 870.89 KB File (vandevelde_coastalcarbonatebuffering_v08_nofields.docx) Download 8.75 MB File (vandevelde_coastalcarbonatebuffering_v08_si_nofields.pdf) Download 900.00 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 11 June 2025 Peer review timeline Published AGU Advances Version of Record 22 Jan 2026 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords alkalinity calcium carbonate carbon cycle seafloor Authors Affiliations Sebastiaan J. Van de Velde 0000-0001-9999-5586 [email protected] University of Otago View all articles by this author Pam Vervoort 0000-0001-9800-6723 University of Birmingham View all articles by this author Robert Owain Smith 0000-0001-5931-3843 University of Otago View all articles by this author Cliff Law National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Ltd (New Zealand) View all articles by this author Kim Currie National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Wellington View all articles by this author Funding Information Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment KC, CSL, SJv Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment KC, CSL, SJv Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 303 views 175 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Sebastiaan J. Van de Velde, Pam Vervoort, Robert Owain Smith, et al. Anthropogenically stimulated carbonate dissolution in the global shelf seafloor is an important and fast climate feedback. Authorea . 11 June 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174965587.73268877/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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