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Changing currents: a strategy for understanding and predicting the changing ocean circulation

Changing currents: a strategy for understanding and predicting the changing ocean circulation
Changing currents: a strategy for understanding and predicting the changing ocean circulation
Within the context of UK marine science, we project a strategy for ocean circulation research over the next 20 years. We recommend a focus on three types of research: (i) sustained observations of the varying and evolving ocean circulation, (ii) careful analysis and interpretation of the observed climate changes for comparison with climate model projections, and (iii) the design and execution of focused field experiments to understand ocean processes that are not resolved in coupled climate models so as to be able to embed these processes realistically in the models. Within UK-sustained observations, we emphasize smart, cost-effective design of the observational network to extract maximum information from limited field resources. We encourage the incorporation of new sensors and new energy sources within the operational environment of UK-sustained observational programmes to bridge the gap that normally separates laboratory prototype from operational instrument. For interpreting the climate-change records obtained through a variety of national and international sustained observational programmes, creative and dedicated UK scientists should lead efforts to extract the meaningful signals and patterns of climate change and to interpret them so as to project future changes. For the process studies, individual scientists will need to work together in team environments to combine observational and process modelling results into effective improvements in the coupled climate models that will lead to more accurate climate predictions.
strategic marine research, sustained observations, patterns of climate change, ocean processes
1364-503X
5461-5479
Bryden, Harry L.
7f823946-34e8-48a3-8bd4-a72d2d749184
Robinson, Carol
aa5b407d-ce1d-4706-a7ce-e2ee4c832071
Griffiths, Gwyn
a0447dd5-c7cd-4bc9-b945-0da7ab236a08
Bryden, Harry L.
7f823946-34e8-48a3-8bd4-a72d2d749184
Robinson, Carol
aa5b407d-ce1d-4706-a7ce-e2ee4c832071
Griffiths, Gwyn
a0447dd5-c7cd-4bc9-b945-0da7ab236a08

Bryden, Harry L., Robinson, Carol and Griffiths, Gwyn (2012) Changing currents: a strategy for understanding and predicting the changing ocean circulation. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 370 (1980), 5461-5479. (doi:10.1098/rsta.2012.0397).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Within the context of UK marine science, we project a strategy for ocean circulation research over the next 20 years. We recommend a focus on three types of research: (i) sustained observations of the varying and evolving ocean circulation, (ii) careful analysis and interpretation of the observed climate changes for comparison with climate model projections, and (iii) the design and execution of focused field experiments to understand ocean processes that are not resolved in coupled climate models so as to be able to embed these processes realistically in the models. Within UK-sustained observations, we emphasize smart, cost-effective design of the observational network to extract maximum information from limited field resources. We encourage the incorporation of new sensors and new energy sources within the operational environment of UK-sustained observational programmes to bridge the gap that normally separates laboratory prototype from operational instrument. For interpreting the climate-change records obtained through a variety of national and international sustained observational programmes, creative and dedicated UK scientists should lead efforts to extract the meaningful signals and patterns of climate change and to interpret them so as to project future changes. For the process studies, individual scientists will need to work together in team environments to combine observational and process modelling results into effective improvements in the coupled climate models that will lead to more accurate climate predictions.

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Bryden_Phil_Trans_2012_Changing_current.pdf - Author's Original
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More information

Published date: 13 December 2012
Keywords: strategic marine research, sustained observations, patterns of climate change, ocean processes
Organisations: Engineering Science Unit, Physical Oceanography, Ocean Technology and Engineering

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 345260
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/345260
ISSN: 1364-503X
PURE UUID: be920585-465d-4895-a3df-cbd88bc008c7
ORCID for Harry L. Bryden: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-8216-6359

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 14 Nov 2012 13:30
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:52

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Contributors

Author: Harry L. Bryden ORCID iD
Author: Carol Robinson
Author: Gwyn Griffiths

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