Water column inventories of chlorofluorocarbons and production rate of intermediate water in the North Pacific

A cross-section of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the North Pacific was obtained along 30°N in 1994. Distributions of water column inventories of CFCs in the North Pacific were estimated by interpolating observed concentrations of CFCs to all the North Pacific based on salinity and water temperature. Total amounts of CFC-I I and CFC-12 in the North Pacific were estimated to be 7.92±1.17 ( × 107 moles) and 4.5±0.73 ( × 107 moles), respectively. By introducing the CFCs data into a four-box model for the North Pacific, relations between an exchange coefficient of CFC and a production rate of intermediate water in the North Pacific were estimated. The production rate of intermediate water was calculated to be 24±4 Sv by assuming the exchange coefficient of CFC to be large enough due to the surface concentration of CFC to be saturated rapidly.