Study of carbonate system variations with depth in the marine waters off the coast of Latakia city

Abstract

This research focuses on the study of seasonal variations in both Total Alkalinity (AT) and Total Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (CT) in the marine waters of Latakia city between the summer and winter of 2022, and how they are affected by certain hydrological factors of the waters (temperature and salinity), and the impact of all this on the pH values in the marine water column (5-200m). This study is the first to take samples at this depth. The values of alkalinity ranged between 2618.7-2725.5 μmol/kg and the CT values between 2256.8-2453.7 μmol/kg, with pH values of 7.84-8.16 in the summer, coinciding with changes in temperature (26.92-27.12°C) and salinity (37.53- 37.21‰). In winter, the temperature values decreased between 18.92°C at the surface and 18.47°C at a depth of 200m, accompanied by changes in salinity from 35.32‰ at a depth of 5m to 34.65‰ at 200m, leading to a decrease in alkalinity values between 2560.7-2660.5 μmol/kg and an increase in CT values between 2365.8-2435.7 μmol/kg.

As a result, climate change due to the increased concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has affected the increase in atmospheric temperature, accompanied by changes in the temperature of marine waters and changes in carbonate system values and pH. This will negatively reflect on biodiversity and threaten many living organisms, especially those that use carbonate ions to build their shells, and generally affect marine currents.