solubility pump


solubility pump

A term defined by the movement of CO2 in the context of global warming; the solubility pump refers to the uptake of CO2 by water, which is greater in cold than in warm water, and greater in higher latitudes because the water is deeper. The solubility pump is affected by major ocean currents—e.g., the Gulf Stream—which move warm superficial equatorial water with low CO2 solubility to polar regions which absorb CO2.