Bender, Michael: Princeton University (Project Lead)
Project Funding:
2007 - 2010
NRA: 2006 NASA: Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry
Funded by NASA
Abstract:
Recent measurements of O2/Ar ratios and the triple isotope composition of O2 in the
Southern Ocean mixed layer have given extensive new information about rates of net
community production (NCP) and gross primary production (GPP) at the basic ecosystem
response times of about a week. As well, observations of the annual cycle of atmospheric
O2/N2 constrain upper ocean carbon fluxes on the seasonal timescale. We propose to
examine these data in the context of remote sensing products and 1-D and 3-D ocean
biogeochemistry GCM's. This work will advance our understanding of the factors
controlling the fertility of Southern Ocean waters, the ability of complex models to
simulate carbon fluxes in these waters, and the ability to scale local observations using
satellite observations.
Our proposal centers around the following objectives:
(a) Examining the response of observed NCP and GPP to recent aerosol iron input,
local iron concentrations, mixed layer SiO2, temperature and depth, and recent
disturbance of the mixed layer, as derived from models. This work will inform us about
the role of disturbance and iron, SiO2, and light limitation in governing upper ocean
carbon fluxes.
(b) Examining the relationship of observed NCP and GPP with satellite fields,
including chlorophyll, primary production, and emerging products such as biomass,
particle concentration, phytoplankton growth rate, and community structure. This work
will enhance our ability to scale local observations over open ocean waters of the
Southern Ocean.
(c) Testing two leading ocean biogeochemistry GCM's (GFDL and NCAR) against a
large new database of field rate estimates, thereby extending present model evaluations
that are based primarily on comparisons with inventories (for example, chlorophyll and
nutrient concentrations). This work will clarify limitations of present models and show
how they can be improved.
More details may be found in the following project profile(s):
