Role of the continental margin in the global carbon balance during the past three centuries

Research Article| May 01, 1998 Role of the continental margin in the global carbon balance during the past three centuries Fred T. Mackenzie; Fred T. Mackenzie 1Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Abraham Lerman; Abraham Lerman 2Department of Geological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Leah May B. Ver Leah May B. Ver 1Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Fred T. Mackenzie 1Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 Abraham Lerman 2Department of Geological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208 Leah May B. Ver 1Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1998) 26 (5): 423–426. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0423:ROTCMI>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Fred T. Mackenzie, Abraham Lerman, Leah May B. Ver; Role of the continental margin in the global carbon balance during the past three centuries. Geology 1998;; 26 (5): 423–426. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0423:ROTCMI>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The global continental margins are important sites of deposition and regeneration of terrestrial organic carbon and of calcium carbonate produced in situ. The material balance of organic carbon in the coastal zone determines to a large extent its role as either a source or sink of CO2 relative to the atmosphere. We explore the role of the continental margin in the global cycling of carbon during the recent geologic past using a new model, TOTEM (Terrestrial Ocean aTmosphere Ecosystem Model). We conclude that during the past 300 yr, the coastal zone has been a site of relatively stable calcium carbonate deposition, as well as a site of greater input, recycling, and storage of terrestrial organic carbon. As a result, more organic carbon in the coastal zone is remineralized than produced in situ by photosynthesis (i.e., the coastal zone is net heterotrophic), and this reduces its sink strength for anthropogenic CO2. Continuation of this trend in the future will weaken the ability of the coastal zone to act as a sink for the rising anthropogenic CO2 in the atmosphere. Reversal of the carbon biogeochemical balance from net remineralization (heterotrophy) to net production (autotrophy) may occur in those continental margin sections where bioproduction is enhanced by elevated inorganic nutrient inputs (e.g., coastal upwelling zones) and/or where there is efficient carbon storage. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.