Simulating physical and biogeochemical dynamics of the Arctic Ocean [Slides]

• Main Author: Maltrud, Mathew Einar
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: 58 GEOSCIENCES; Arctic; Arctic Ocean; Pacific; Phytoplankton
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1877999; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1877999; https://doi.org/10.2172/1877999

Ocean physics (currents, mixing, air-sea transfer of heat and gases) and biogeochemistry (carbon and oxygen cycles, ecosystem dynamics, nutrient distributions) are tightly coupled. We used the DOE-developed Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) to simulate physical and biogeochemical dynamics of the global ocean, with an emphasis on the western North Pacific. In particular, we used the grid refinement capability of E3SM’s ocean component (LANL-developed MPASOcean) to quantify the effect of model resolution on the carbon and oxygen cycles using a pair of century-long simulations that differ only in the western North Pacific grid. Regional grid refinement has a noticeable impact on biogeochemistry. Distribution of important nutrients (such as nitrate) changes the amount of photosynthesis by phytoplankton, which in turn affects air-sea transfer of CO2 and the local carbon cycle.