| dc.description.abstract | Exchange of trace gases between the oceans and the atmosphere affects the atmospheric content and cycling of a range of chemical species which are related to climate change, ozone layer depletion, acid deposition, eutrophication, atmospheric particle formation, photo-oxidants, trace metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The effects and impacts of air sea exchange of these gases can be local, regional, and global. Until now, most of the research has concentrated on the sea-air exchange of trace gases in the open ocean.
The literature review initiated by LOICZ and presented in this work is aiming at:
1. establishment of the relevance of the coastal zone for atmospheric sources and sinks of trace gases,
2. identification of those systems that contribute the most to these fluxes, and
3. brief description of biological and biochemical processes occurring in the ecosystems which determine the magnitude of these fluxes.
Major emphasis is on sea-air exchange of CH4, N2O, DMS, COS, and Hg, while CO2 is not discussed here.
The flux rates of the studied trace gases from the coastal waters to the air are much higher than the rates for the open ocean and the contribution of the coastal areas t the total oceanic emissions of these trace gases can be significant on a global scale. This contribution can be as high as 50% and more for nitrous oxide and COS. Concerning the contribution of the trace gas production in the coastal areas to the total global production of these gases, it can be concluded that this contribution seems to be below 2% except for nitrous oxide. However, it should be pointed out that on the local and even regional scale the emissions in the coastal areas can be very important contributing substantially to the total emission of these gases in a studied area. Thus, there is a need to carry out studies in the future with the aim to provide more accurate understanding of the production and sea-air exchange processes for these gases around the world. | |
