Doubled CO2 Experiments With the Global Change Research Center Two-Dimensional Statistical Dynamical Climate Model

• Main Authors: MacKay, R. M., Khalil, M. A. K.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: PDXScholar 1995
• Subjects: Climatic changes > Mathematical models; Climatic changes > Effect of greenhouse gases on; Carbon dioxide > Environmental aspects; Physics; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/phy_fac/14; https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1013&context=phy_fac

The zonally averaged response of the Global Change Research Center two-dimensional statistical dynamical climate model (GCRC 2-D SDCM) to a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide (350 parts per million by volume (ppmv) to 700 ppmv) is reported. The model solves the two-dimensional primitive equations in finite difference form (mass continuity, Newton's second law, and the first law of thermodynamics) for the prognostic variables: zonal mean density, zonal mean zonal velocity, zonal mean meridional velocity, and zonal mean temperature on a grid that has 18 nodes in latitude and 9 vertical nodes (plus the surface). The equation of state, p=rhoRT, and an assumed hydrostatic atmosphere, Deltap=rhogDeltaz, are used to diagnostically calculate the zonal mean pressure and vertical velocity for each grid node, and the moisture balance equation is used to estimate the precipitation rate. The model includes seasonal variations in solar intensity, including the effects of eccentricity, and has observed land and ocean fractions set for each zone. Seasonally varying values of cloud amounts, relative humidity profiles, ozone, and sea ice are all prescribed in the model. Equator to pole ocean heat transport is simulated in the model by turbulent diffusion.