Attributing seasonal pH variability in surface ocean waters to governing factors

What is it about?

We address what drives seasonality in surface-water pH in a variety of ocean settings, using a novel method. Understanding these drivers is essential in predicting ocean pH variability, both in current and future, more acidic, waters. We show that temperature and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) drive most of the seasonality in pH at low-to-mid and high latitude systems, respectively. We also highlight that pH sensitivity factors can be used to address variability in pH not only at seasonal but at any time scale.

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Why is it important?

Any oceanographer should take seasonal and other short-term pH variability into account when designing experiments or discussing impacts of ocean acidification on marine habitats. We provide the tools for calculating the magnitude of this variability.