What determines the exchange of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the ocean?
The exchange of CO2 between the ocean and the atmosphere depends on the difference in partial pressure between the ocean and the atmosphere and an exchange coefficient. The exchange coefficient depends on temperature and the turbulence in the water boundary layer. It is usually expressed as a function of wind speed. Although wind speed is an imperfect proxy for turbulence, it is easy to measure and, therefore, we have global maps of wind speed.
