Different oceanic features of anthropogenic CO2 and CFCs.

The relationship between CFC-11 and anthropogenic CO2 (deltaDIC(ant)) concentrations in the world ocean are evaluated based on a simple off-line tracer ventilation model. Since the different solubility characteristics of CFC-11 and deltaDIC(ant) cause major differences in their oceanic uptake features, indicating different uptake pathways, a care should be taken while assessing deltaDIC(ant) in the oceans relying on CFC-11 concentrations. Evidence will be provided that CFC-11 storage occurs mainly in colder, high latitude regions, whereas the warmer, low latitude regions of the world ocean play an important role in both storing and absorbing anthropogenic CO2. This can be caused by an increased CO2 uptake or by a reduced CO2 release to the atmosphere at lower latitudes, both as a result of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations.