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CO2 increases oceanic primary production

Nature volume 388, pages 526–527 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

The regulation of oceanic primary production of biomass is important in the global carbon cycle because it constitutes 40% of total primary production on Earth1. Here we present results from short-term experiments in the nutrient-poor central Atlantic Ocean. We find a small but significant stimulation of primary production (15-19%) in response to elevated CO2 concentrations that simulate the CO2 rise in surface waters that will occur over the next 100-200 years.

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Figure 1: Oceanic primary production at reduced and increased CO2 concentration (percentage of production at ambient CO2).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Freshwater Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Helsingrsgade 51, DK-3400, Hillerd, Denmark

    Mette Hein & Kaj Sand-Jensen

Authors
  1. Mette Hein
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  2. Kaj Sand-Jensen
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Hein, M., Sand-Jensen, K. CO2 increases oceanic primary production. Nature 388, 526–527 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/41457

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