The Alkalinity and Total Carbon Dioxide Concentration in the World Oceans*

The titration alkalinity and total carbon dioxide concentration data obtained during the GEOSECS Expeditions, 1972-1977, in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans have been summarized. The oceans have been divided into seven oceanic regions, and the mean vertical distributions of the alkalinity and total CO2 concentration have been computed. In addition, the vertical distributions of these quantities as well as salinity and potential temperature for the mean world ocean have been computed using the regional mean values. Based upon these values, the total CO2 content of the world oceans has been estimated to be 3.16XlOI2 MC02. The CO] = ion concentration at the in situ temperature and pressure conditions have been computed using the alkalinity and total CO2 data. The regional mean vertical profiles for the CO] = ion in seawater are presented and discussed.