SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE FLUXES IN KARIMUNJAWA WATERS, INDONESIA

Abstract

Global warming phenomena occures as  result of the increase of the amount of  greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which is dominated by anthropogenic CO₂ (carbon dioxide). These conditions cause climate change on the earth. Therefore, the absorption of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere is needed, one of which is through an ocean processes called blue carbon.  The purpose of this study was to determine the potential of blue carbon absorption (fluxes CO₂) in Karimunjawa waters.  This research was conducted in the waters around Karimunjawa Island in May 2018. The research method used a survey method with a quantitative approach. Samples were taken at 15 observation stations of Karimunjawa Island using purposive sampling method. Analysis of carbonate system data by titrimetric method. The results showed that most of Karimunjawa waters (13 stations) functioned as source of CO₂ with a range of CO₂ flux values between 1.79 to 21.64 mmolCO₂/m²/day where the flow of CO₂ moved from the ocean to the atmosphere. While the other 2 stations function as sink of CO₂ where the flow of CO₂ moved from the atmosphere to the ocean with a range of CO₂ fluxes of -3.69 to -4.41 mmolCO₂/m²/day. The pattern of CO₂ fluxes followed a pattern of ∆pCO_2, DIC, total alkalinity, salinity, pH. The CO₂ flux pattern follows the pattern of changes in ∆pCO₂, DIC, total alkalinity, salinity and pH. The spatial distribution of potential blue carbon uptake (fluxes CO₂) in Karimunajwa waters as a release of CO₂ from the oceans into the atmosphere with a positive flux CO₂ value.