Air-sea CO2 fluxes for the Brazilian northeast continental shelf in a climatic transition region

Oceanographic cruises were carried out in October 2012 (3°S–5°S and 38,5°W–35,5°W) and in September 2014 (1°S–4°S and 43°W–37°W), measuring atmospheric and sea surface CO2 fugacity (fCO2) underway in the northeast coast of Brazil. Sea surface water samples were also collected for chlorophyll a, nutrients and DOC analysis. During the second cruise, the sampling area covered a transition between semi-arid to more humid areas of the coast, with different hydrologic and rainfall regimes. The seawater fCO2sw, in October 2012, was in average 400.9±7.3μatm and 391.1±6.3μatm in September 2014. For the atmosphere, the fCO2air in October 2012 was 375.8±2.0μatm and in September 2014, 368.9±2.2μatm. The super-saturation of the seawater in relation to the atmosphere indicates a source of CO2 to the atmosphere. The entire study area presents oligotrophic conditions. Despite the low concentrations, Chl a and nutrients presented significant influence on fCO2sw, particularly in the westernmost and more humid part of the northeast coast, where river fluxes are three orders of magnitude larger than eastern rivers and rainfall events are more intense and constant. fCO2sw spatial distribution presented homogeneity along the same transect and longitudinal heterogeneity, between east and west, reinforcing the hypothesis of transition between two regions of different behaviour. The fCO2sw at the eastern portion was controlled by parameters such as temperature and salinity. At the western portion, fCO2sw was influenced by nutrient and Chl a. Calculated instantaneous CO2 flux ranged from +1.66 to +7.24mmolm−2d−1 in the first cruise and +0.89 to +14.62mmolm−2d−1 in the second cruise. •First screening of fCO2sw for the Brazilian Northeastern coast along a climatic transition region.•The region worked as a source of CO2 to the atmosphere during the dry season.•The eastern portion of the shelf fCO2sw was controlled by physical parameters as in oceanic waters.•Chl a and nutrients influenced fCO2sw in the western portion of the northeast continental shelf.•pCO2 equipment manufactured in Brazil was used as an innovative technological independence effort.