Bio-optical feedbacks among phytoplankton, upper ocean physics and sea-ice in a global model

Manizza, Manfredi, Le Quéré, Corinne ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2319-0452, Watson, Andrew J. and Buitenhuis, Erik T. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6274-5583 (2005) Bio-optical feedbacks among phytoplankton, upper ocean physics and sea-ice in a global model. Geophysical Research Letters, 32 (5). ISSN 1944-8007

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Abstract

Phytoplankton biomass modifies the penetration of light and impacts the physical properties of the upper ocean. We quantify these impacts and the feedbacks on phytoplankton biomass for the global ocean using an Ocean General Circulation Model coupled to an ocean biogeochemistry model. Phytoplankton biomass amplifies the seasonal cycle of temperature, mixed layer depth and ice cover by roughly 10%. At mid and high latitudes, surface temperature warms by 0.1-1.5°C in spring /summer and cools by 0.1-0.3°C in fall/winter. In the tropics, phytoplankton biomass indirectly cools the ocean surface by 0.3°C due to enhanced upwelling. The mixed layer stratifies by 4-30 m everywhere except at high latitudes. At high latitudes, the sea-ice cover is reduced by up to 6% in summer and increased by 2% in winter, leading to further feedbacks on vertical mixing and heat fluxes. Physical changes drive a positive feedback increasing phytoplankton biomass by 4-12% and further amplifies the initial physical perturbations.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences University of East Anglia Schools > Faculty of Science > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Depositing User:	Rachel Snow
Date Deposited:	04 Apr 2011 14:16
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2023 23:36
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/27960
DOI:	10.1029/2004GL020778

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