Abstract:

Sedimentary organic carbon accumulation rate in continental margin seas is more than one order higher than that of the oceans. Ocean margins play a very important role in global carbon budget since about 80% of terrestrial and marine organic carbon buried in the continental shelves. Of the Arctic Ocean total area over 30% is shelf, and it is accounted for one-fourth of global shelf area. Because of its ice cover biological pump in the Arctic Ocean was thought to be very limited, thus it has not been considered as a sink of carbon dioxide. With the recent observation of global warming, decreasing of ice cover in shelf area would lead to potential simulate primary production, thus increase sedimentary organic carbon accumulation rate in the shelves. In this review paper, organic carbon sources, riverine discharge of sediment and nutrients, sea ice cover variation, and biological pump were discussed in order to evaluation potential increasing of sedimentary organic carbon accumulation in the arctic shelves under global warming.