The Modulation of Atmospheric CO2 by the Wind-Driven Ocean Circulation

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, Cambridge MA

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT OCE-0136609 Box models of the ocean-atmosphere carbon system have suggested that atmospheric CO2 is sensitive to perturbation of the high latitude surface ocean properties and quite insensitive to low latitude perturbations. In contrast, ocean general circulation and carbon cycle models show a greater role for the ocean's warm surface waters and a weaker response to changes in high latitude biological export efficiency. For this reason, a PI from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, proposes to test the hypothesis that these discrepancies can be attributed to the role of the ventilated thermocline and mode waters using a hierarchy of numerical ocean circulation and biogeochemistry models. In addition, the PI plans to carry out detailed simulations of the interannual variability of the thermocline, mode waters and the Southern Ocean intermediate waters and their ventilation to examine the interannual and decadal variability of air-sea gas fluxes and atmospheric CO2.