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One of the major factors that determines CO2 levels in surface water
of the
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world oceans is the amount of carbonate ion CO3-2.
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These ions are produced when corrosive bottom water dissolve CaCO3
on the
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seafloor.
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When these ions are later returned to surface waters by
ocean circulation, they
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can combine chemically with CO2 and produce the bicarbonate ion HCO3-.
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Therefore, increasing the amount of CO3-2
ions dissolved by and carried in
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deep water can have the effect of reducing CO2 concentrations in
surface
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water.
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