Anthropogenic carbon dioxide transport in the Southern Ocean driven by Ekman flow

Ito, Takamitsu; Woloszyn, Molly; Mazloff, M. R.

doi:10.1038/nature08687

Cited by 146 publications

(156 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Results of forward simulations of transient tracers with eddy-resolving model have recently become available (Lachkar et al, 2009;Ito et al, 2010). The large-scale transport pathways of these models are not completely dissimilar to those of coarse-resolution models.…”

Section: Limitations Of the Inverse Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global ocean storage of anthropogenic carbon

et al. 2013

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The global ocean is a significant sink for anthropogenic carbon (C_ant), absorbing roughly a third of human CO₂ emitted over the industrial period. Robust estimates of the magnitude and variability of the storage and distribution of C_ant in the ocean are therefore important for understanding the human impact on climate. In this synthesis we review observational and model-based estimates of the storage and transport of C_ant in the ocean. We pay particular attention to the uncertainties and potential biases inherent in different inference schemes. On a global scale, three data-based estimates of the distribution and inventory of C_ant are now available. While the inventories are found to agree within their uncertainty, there are considerable differences in the spatial distribution. We also present a review of the progress made in the application of inverse and data assimilation techniques which combine ocean interior estimates of C_ant with numerical ocean circulation models. Such methods are especially useful for estimating the air–sea flux and interior transport of C_ant, quantities that are otherwise difficult to observe directly. However, the results are found to be highly dependent on modeled circulation, with the spread due to different ocean models at least as large as that from the different observational methods used to estimate C_ant. Our review also highlights the importance of repeat measurements of hydrographic and biogeochemical parameters to estimate the storage of C_ant on decadal timescales in the presence of the variability in circulation that is neglected by other approaches. Data-based C_ant estimates provide important constraints on forward ocean models, which exhibit both broad similarities and regional errors relative to the observational fields. A compilation of inventories of C_ant gives us a "best" estimate of the global ocean inventory of anthropogenic carbon in 2010 of 155 ± 31 PgC (±20% uncertainty). This estimate includes a broad range of values, suggesting that a combination of approaches is necessary in order to achieve a robust quantification of the ocean sink of anthropogenic CO₂

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Section: Limitations Of the Inverse Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global ocean storage of anthropogenic carbon

et al. 2013

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“…First, coarse-resolution ocean models tend to overestimate the response to surface winds (e.g., Farneti et al 2010;Ito et al 2010). Second, the three Earth system models studied here use ocean component, that does differ in terms of horizontal resolution, vertical resolution and parametrizations.…”

Section: Surface Windsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Skill assessment of three earth system models with common marine biogeochemistry

et al. 2012

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We have assessed the ability of a common ocean biogeochemical model, PISCES, to match relevant modern data fields across a range of ocean circulation fields from three distinct Earth system models: IPSL-CM4-LOOP, IPSL-CM5A-LR and CNRM-CM5.1. The first of these Earth system models has contributed to the IPCC 4th assessment report, while the latter two are contributing to the ongoing IPCC 5th assessment report. These models differ with respect to their atmospheric component, ocean subgrid-scale physics and resolution. The simulated vertical distribution of biogeochemical tracers suffer from biases in ocean circulation and a poor representation of the sinking fluxes of matter. Nevertheless, differences between upper and deep ocean model skills significantly point to changes in the underlying model representations of ocean circulation. IPSL-CM5A-LR and CNRM-CM5.1 poorly represent deep-ocean circulation compared to IPSL-CM4-LOOP degrading the vertical distribution of biogeochemical tracers. However, their representations of surface wind, wind stress, mixed-layer depth and geostrophic circulations (e.g., Antarctic Circumpolar Current) have been improved compared to IPSL-CM4-LOOP. These improvements result in a better representation of large-scale structure of biogeochemical fields in the upper ocean. In particular, a deepening of 20-40 m of the summer mixed-layer depth allows to capture the 0-0.5 lgChl L -1 concentrations class of surface chlorophyll in the Southern Ocean. Further improvements in the representation of the ocean mixedlayer and deep-ocean ventilation are needed for the next generations of models development to better simulate marine biogeochemistry. In order to better constrain ocean dynamics, we suggest that biogeochemical or passive tracer modules should be used routinely for both model development and model intercomparisons.

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“…Since the mid-1970s, SAM appears to have undergone a positive shift in the troposphere, which has been associated with hemispheric-wide changes in the atmosphere-ocean-ice domains, including precipitation patterns and significant surface and subsurface ocean warming (Cook et al, 2010;Delworth and Zeng, 2014;Domack et al, 2005;Gille, 2008Gille, , 2014Thompson et al, 2011). This trend is projected to continue during the 21st century as a result of both ongoing greenhouse gas emissions and a persistence of the Antarctic ozone hole (Liu and Curry, 2010;Thompson et al, 2011;Yin, 2005), potentially resulting in reduced Southern Ocean uptake of anthropogenic CO 2 (Ito et al, 2010;Le Quére et al, 2009;Lenton et al, 2013;Marshall, 2003;Marshall and Speer, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 250-year periodicity in Southern Hemisphere westerly winds over the last 2600 years

et al. 2016

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Abstract. Southern Hemisphere westerly airflow has a significant influence on the ocean-atmosphere system of the mid-to high latitudes with potentially global climate implications. Unfortunately, historic observations only extend back to the late 19th century, limiting our understanding of multi-decadal to centennial change. Here we present a highly resolved (30-year) record of past westerly wind strength from a Falkland Islands peat sequence spanning the last 2600 years. Situated within the core latitude of Southern Hemisphere westerly airflow (the so-called furious fifties), we identify highly variable changes in exotic pollen and charcoal derived from South America which can be used to inform on past westerly air strength. We find a period of high charcoal content between 2000 and 1000 cal. years BP, associated with increased burning in Patagonia, most probably as a result of higher temperatures and stronger westerly airflow. Spectral analysis of the charcoal record identifies a pervasive ca. 250-year periodicity that is coherent with radiocarbon production rates, suggesting that solar variability has a modulating influence on Southern Hemisphere westerly airflow. Our results have important implications for understanding global climate change through the late Holocene.

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Anthropogenic carbon dioxide transport in the Southern Ocean driven by Ekman flow

Cited by 146 publications

References 27 publications

Global ocean storage of anthropogenic carbon

Global ocean storage of anthropogenic carbon

Skill assessment of three earth system models with common marine biogeochemistry

A 250-year periodicity in Southern Hemisphere westerly winds over the last 2600 years

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