Model-derived estimates of new production: new results point towards lower values
Model-derived estimates of new production: new results point towards lower values
Model-derived estimates of marine new production are found to display systematic covariations with the underlying model architecture. Almost regardless of the formulation of biogeochemical processes, model-derived estimates of new production have more than doubled from about 0.15 molNm?2 yr?1 to values around 0.4 molNm?2 yr?1 when turning from early box models to more recent investigations using coarse-resolution general circulation models. Because none of these models resolves eddies, which have been shown to enhance biological production, a further increase in simulated new production with increasing model resolution might be expected. This study presents results from an eddy-permitting coupled biological–physical model that suggest a basin-scale new production of less than 0.3 molNm?2 yr?1 for the North Atlantic, i.e. substantially less than values typical for coarse-resolution models. Sensitivity experiments reveal that the amount of diapycnal mixing, described either explicitly or implicitly in the numerical discretization schemes, has a considerable effect on the simulated input of nutrients into the euphotic zone. Implications for coarse-resolution models used until now are that unrealistically high levels of explicit and implicit diapycnal diffusion may have been responsible for unrealistically high estimates of new production.
2173-2197
Oschlies, Andreas
75e18f55-3134-44a2-82ba-71334397727f
2001
Oschlies, Andreas
75e18f55-3134-44a2-82ba-71334397727f
Oschlies, Andreas
(2001)
Model-derived estimates of new production: new results point towards lower values.
Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 48 (10), .
(doi:10.1016/S0967-0645(00)00184-3).
Abstract
Model-derived estimates of marine new production are found to display systematic covariations with the underlying model architecture. Almost regardless of the formulation of biogeochemical processes, model-derived estimates of new production have more than doubled from about 0.15 molNm?2 yr?1 to values around 0.4 molNm?2 yr?1 when turning from early box models to more recent investigations using coarse-resolution general circulation models. Because none of these models resolves eddies, which have been shown to enhance biological production, a further increase in simulated new production with increasing model resolution might be expected. This study presents results from an eddy-permitting coupled biological–physical model that suggest a basin-scale new production of less than 0.3 molNm?2 yr?1 for the North Atlantic, i.e. substantially less than values typical for coarse-resolution models. Sensitivity experiments reveal that the amount of diapycnal mixing, described either explicitly or implicitly in the numerical discretization schemes, has a considerable effect on the simulated input of nutrients into the euphotic zone. Implications for coarse-resolution models used until now are that unrealistically high levels of explicit and implicit diapycnal diffusion may have been responsible for unrealistically high estimates of new production.
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Published date: 2001
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Local EPrints ID: 12728
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/12728
ISSN: 0967-0645
PURE UUID: d2429a1f-064b-4908-bc0e-41dfdd82d72e
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Date deposited: 02 Dec 2004
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 05:07
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Author:
Andreas Oschlies
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