MODELING THE CARBONATE CHEMISTRY IN THE EQUATORIAL PACIFIC OCEAN
Principal Investigator:
Tsung-Hung Peng
Collaborating
scientist(s):
Richard
Wanninkhof, AOML Richard Feely, PMEL
Objective:
The objective is to analyze the observed CO2 data taken by
NOAA/OACES
program during the JGOFS 1992 EqPac process study and then to make
reliable estimates of CO2 flux across the sea-air interface in the
Equatorial Pacific Ocean.
Rationale:
Ocean is a major carbon reservoir. The oceanic uptake of anthropogenic
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is critical in determining the
atmospheric CO2 level as a result of CO2 emissions
from fossil fuel burning and land use. Equatorial Pacific Ocean is
characterized by
strong upwelling and high nutrient content in the surface ocean. This
region is considered to be the source of atmospheric CO2. The
release of CO2 from this region to the atmosphere plays an
important role in
regulating the atmospheric CO2 content. Model simulations of
carbon chemistry in the Equatorial Pacific as a function of seasonal and
interannual variations could provide useful information on CO2
flux
from the ocean and improve the understanding of global carbon budget.
Method:
Diagnostic box model of the ocean will be built according to the ocean
dynamics. As a testing case, the carbon chemistry along the longitude 125W
will be simulated using the observed data from 110W and 140W as boundary
conditions.
Accomplishment:
This project was initiated recently. The diagnostic
model has been
built with all essential features representing dynamics in the Equatorial
Pacific Ocean. Verification and calibration of this model are being
carried out now and a simulation can be made soon.
Key reference:
Wyrtki, K., An estimate of equatorial upwelling in the Pacific, J. of
Phys. Oceanog., 11, 1205-1214, 1981.
Wanninkhof, R., R. A. Feely, D. K. Atwood, G. Berberian, D. Wilson, P.
P. Murphy, and M. F. Lamb, Seasonal and lateral variations in carbon
chemistry of surface water in the eastern equatorial Pacific during
1992, Deep Sea Res. 42, 387-410, 1995.
Feely, R. A., R. Wanninkhof, C. E. Cosca, P. P. Murphy, M. F. Lamb, and
M. D. Steckley, CO2 distribution in the equatorial Pacific during the
1991-92 ENSO event, Deep Sea Res. 42, 365-386, 1995.
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