Surface ocean pH variations since 1689 CE and recent ocean acidification in the tropical South Pacific

Abstract

Increasing atmospheric CO ₂ from man-made climate change is reducing surface ocean pH. Due to limited instrumental measurements and historical pH records in the world’s oceans, seawater pH variability at the decadal and centennial scale remains largely unknown and requires documentation. Here we present evidence of striking secular trends of decreasing pH since the late nineteenth century with pronounced interannual to decadal–interdecadal pH variability in the South Pacific Ocean from 1689 to 2011 CE. High-amplitude oceanic pH changes, likely related to atmospheric CO ₂ uptake and seawater dissolved inorganic carbon fluctuations, reveal a coupled relationship to sea surface temperature variations and highlight the marked influence of El Niño/Southern Oscillation and Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation. We suggest changing surface winds strength and zonal advection processes as the main drivers responsible for regional pH variability up to 1881 CE, followed by the prominent role of anthropogenic CO ₂ in accelerating the process of ocean acidification.

Abstract

Ocean acidification due to the industrial era is a major marine environmental concern, yet little is known on the historical ocean pH changes prior to human influence. Here, Wu et al. show that tropical South Pacific seawater pH is linked to ENSO pacing and has recently been decreasing rapidly.