Variability of the partial pressure of CO2 on a daily-to-seasonal time scale in a shallow coastal system affected by intensive aquaculture activities (Bay of Cadiz, SW Iberian Peninsula)

The present study describes the temporal variability of the water fCO2 as well as the different driving forces controlling this variability, on time scales from daily to seasonal, in the Rio San Pedro, a tidal creek located in a salt marsh area in the Bay of Cadiz (SW Iberian Peninsula). This shallow tidal creek system is affected by effluents of organic matter and nutrients from the surrounding marine fish farms. Continuous pCO2, salinity and temperature were recorded for four periods of approximately one month, between February and September in 2004. Major processes controlling the CO2 variability are related to three different time scales. Daily variations in fCO2 are controlled by tidal advection and mixing of the water from within the creek and the seawater that enters from the Bay of Cadiz. Significant cyclical variations of the fCO2 have been observed with the maximum values occurring at low tide. On a fortnightly time scale, the amplitude of the daily variability of fCO2 is modulated by the variations in the residence time of the water within the creek, which are related to the spring–neap tide sequence. On a third time scale, high seasonal variability is observed for the temperature, salinity and fCO2. Maximum and minimum values for fCO2 were 380 µatm and 3760 µatm for February and July respectively. Data suggest that seasonal variability is related to the seasonal variability in discharges from the fish farm and to the increase with temperature of organic matter respiratory processes in the tidal creek. The fCO2 values observed are in the same range as several highly polluted European estuaries or waters surrounding mangrove forests. From the air–water CO2 flux computed, it can be concluded that the Rio San Pedro acts as a source of CO2 to the atmosphere throughout the year, with the summer accounting for the higher average monthly flux.