Mapping of dissolved black carbon in the Atlantic Ocean

Oceanic dissolved black carbon (DBC) is the subject of a conundrum between the dominant riverine inputs in terms of mass flux and its stable and radiogenic carbon isotope composition inconsistent with a predominant riverine origin. Here, we analyzed seawater samples within specific and contrasting water masses along several latitudinal and longitudinal transects across the Atlantic Ocean to quantify DBC and map its latitudinal and water depth changes in this ocean. After comparing latitudinal changes in surface water DBC properties with those in atmospheric pyrogenic carbon inputs from seasonal, massive grass burning events in the African Savanna, we could not demonstrate the significance of atmospheric deposition as a non-riverine source of DBC in the Atlantic Ocean, likely due to the balance by DBC photo-bleaching. We found constant DBC concentrations and increasing trends in the condensation degree of DBC (i.e., B6CA:B5CA molar ratio) from surface to deep Atlantic waters and from the South Atlantic to the North Atlantic within individual shallow to deep water masses. Overall, our mapping of DBC in the Atlantic Ocean highlights the need to explore the following alternative hypotheses in the future to better understand the cycling of oceanic DBC: 1) enhanced regional atmospheric BC deposition from African savanna grassland fires impact particulate rather than dissolved BC in the Atlantic Ocean, 2) oceanic DBC has a predominantly non-pyrogenic origin, and 3) exports of terrigenous DBC across the Atlantic Ocean accompany those of terrigenous humic-like compounds from the North Atlantic via meridional circulation. • DBC was determined along several transects and water masses in the Atlantic Ocean. • Airborne pyrogenic carbon from Africa does not impact DBC in Atlantic waters. • The condensation degree of DBC increases northwards across the deep Atlantic Ocean. • The condensation degree of DBC increases from surface to deep Atlantic waters. • The hypothesis of a predominant non-pyrogenic source of oceanic DBC should be tested.