# Unraveling ocean pCO2 dynamics in Northwest Greenland Fjords

## TL;DR

This study explores how different factors affect carbon dioxide levels in the sea surface of fjords in northwest Greenland, showing that physical and biological processes vary significantly between regions.

## Contribution

The study reveals distinct regional differences in CO2 dynamics between neighboring fjords in northwest Greenland.

## Key findings

- Sherard Osborn Fjord shows enhanced pCO2 accumulation due to freshwater inputs and strong stratification.
- Petermann Fjord is dominated by biological CO2 uptake as the main driver of pCO2 dynamics.
- Northwest Greenland's coastal waters act as a significant summer CO2 sink.

## Abstract

We investigated the relative contributions of various factors that influence seasonal changes in sea surface partial pressure of \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$\end{document}CO2 (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\hbox {pCO}_{2}$$\end{document}pCO2, calculated from the measured pH and total alkalinity) in four regions of northwestern Greenland: Nares Strait, Lincoln Sea, Sherard Osborn and Petermann fjords. Using the temperature minimum layer as a proxy for winter conditions, we examined \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\hbox {pCO}_{2}$$\end{document}pCO2 dynamics from the onset of sea-ice melt to summer. Our findings revealed significant spatial variability in \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\hbox {pCO}_{2}$$\end{document}pCO2, driven by differences in temperature, freshwater inputs, and biological activity. In particular, in Sherard Osborn Fjord substantial freshwater inputs and strong stratification were found to enhance \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\hbox {pCO}_{2}$$\end{document}pCO2 accumulation, while in Petermann Fjord biological \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$\end{document}CO2 uptake was the main driver. This study, conducted in summer 2019, underscores the critical role of northwest Greenland’s coastal waters as a summer \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$\end{document}CO2 sink. It highlights the complex interplay of physical and biogeochemical processes in modulating \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\hbox {pCO}_{2}$$\end{document}pCO2, suggesting significant regional differences in \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$\end{document}CO2 dynamics between two neighboring fjords.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-12720-1.