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Asymmetric bubble-mediated gas transfer enhances global ocean CO2 uptake
Yuanxu Dong1,2, Mingxi Yang3, Thomas G Bell3
1Marine Biogeochemistry Research Division, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany. ydong@geomar.de.
Nature Communications
|November 25, 2025
Summary
Oceanic carbon dioxide (CO2) uptake is higher than estimated due to bubble-mediated gas exchange favoring CO2 invasion. This study provides field evidence for this asymmetry, improving CO2 flux assessments.
Area of Science:
- Oceanography
- Climate Science
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Sea-air carbon dioxide (CO2) flux is crucial for climate regulation.
- Current models assume symmetric gas transfer, neglecting bubble effects.
- Field evidence for asymmetric bubble-mediated CO2 transfer was lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide direct field evidence of asymmetric bubble-mediated CO2 transfer.
- To develop an asymmetric CO2 flux equation.
- To re-evaluate global oceanic CO2 uptake.
Main Methods:
- Field measurements of gas transfer velocity (K).
- Development of an asymmetric flux equation incorporating bubble effects.
- Comparison of new estimates with conventional models.
Main Results:
- Direct field evidence confirms bubble-mediated CO2 transfer favors invasion.
- The asymmetric equation reduces bias in K estimates.
- Global oceanic CO2 uptake increased by 0.3-0.4 Pg C yr-1 (approx. 15%) from 1991-2020.
Conclusions:
- The ocean may have absorbed more CO2 than previously thought.
- An asymmetric flux equation is necessary for accurate CO2 uptake assessments.
- Further data on CO2 evasion are needed to refine asymmetry quantification.
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