Regional air-sea CO2 fluxes from the WOCE and CLIVAR 13C-DIC dataset and in an ocean carbon cycle model

University Of Washington, Seattle WA

Investigators

Abstract

Accurate model predictions of future atmospheric CO2 levels are critical for anticipating and planning for the impact of climate change. Since about one-quarter of fossil fuel combustion-derived CO2 is taken up by the ocean, accurate models of this uptake process are essential to accurately forecast the earth's climate. Models of the earth's carbon cycle are complex because of the many processes affecting atmospheric CO2 and its cycling between the atmosphere, terrestrial biota, and ocean. Thus, comparison between model output and observations is an essential step to evaluating model performance and improving climate predictions. In this study, researchers from the University of Washington will aim to improve the validity of the ocean component of the Earth System Model using new and historic datasets of a carbon tracer. Results from this study will increase the accuracy of the model's predicted cycling of anthropogenic CO2 in the ocean. Broader Impacts: The research will provide a better understanding of, and improved model simulations and forecasts of the changing ocean carbon cycle, ultimately contributing to climate research. The project will support a postdoctoral researcher, who will further their expertise in carbon cycle research and advance their scientific career.