On potential causes for an under-estimated global ocean heat content trend in CMIP3 models

Details On potential causes for an under-estimated global ocean heat content trend in CMIP3 models On potential causes for an under-estimated global ocean heat content trend in CMIP3 models

Sep 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010georl..3717709c&link_type=abstract

Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 37, Issue 17, CiteID L17709

Physics

1

Global Change: Oceans (1616, 3305, 4215, 4513), Global Change: Global Climate Models (3337, 4928), Global Change: Climate Dynamics (0429, 3309), Oceanography: Physical: General Circulation (1218, 1222), Oceanography: General: Ocean Observing Systems

Scientific paper

Trends in global oceanic heat content (OHC) over the late 20th century as simulated by climate models that incorporate all radiative forcing factors are smaller than the observed, but the causes are not clear. Given the cooling effect associated with increasing anthropogenic aerosols and natural forcing (i.e., volcanic aerosols), we examine their respective roles in the simulated global OHC trend and the associated ocean temperature structure, using targeted experiments from two models, designed to separate the individual impacts of these forcing components. We show that it is more likely that the indirect effect of aerosols, not volcanic aerosols alone, is the reason for the bulk of weaker modelled OHC trends. Further, anthropogenic aerosols are essential for simulating the structure of the observed temperature changes, including a concentrated cooling in the Southern Hemisphere subtropical latitudes, consistent with a more stable global Conveyer, a greater strengthening of the subtropical gyre circulation, and a stronger Southern Annular Mode trend in targeted experiments with anthropogenic aerosol forcing.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

On potential causes for an under-estimated global ocean heat content trend in CMIP3 models does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with On potential causes for an under-estimated global ocean heat content trend in CMIP3 models, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and On potential causes for an under-estimated global ocean heat content trend in CMIP3 models will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1495504