A Rumsfeldian analysis of uncertainty in air-sea gas exchange

Johnson, MT, Hughes, C, Bell, TG and Liss, PS (2011) A Rumsfeldian analysis of uncertainty in air-sea gas exchange. In: Gas Transfer at Water Surfaces. Kyoto University Press, pp. 464-485.

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Abstract

The title of this paper alludes to the oft-repeated statement by ex-US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, considering 'known knowns' (KKs), 'known unknowns' (KUs) and 'unknown unknowns' (UUs); a qualitative analysis which we apply to classify the degree of knowledge about uncertainties in air-sea gas exchange. We have tried to be comprehensive in our analysis, so this paper is broad in scope rather than deep in detail. We present a table summarizing the uncertainties we can identify and their 'Rumsfeldian classification' and go on to explain each source of uncertainty listed. We interpret the classifications as follows: a 'known known' uncertainty is one which is relatively well constrained, with some process-based understanding of causes and likely magnitude; a 'known unknown' is a source of uncertainty whose magnitude can be estimated at least for typical conditions/gases, but where only limited empirical evidence is available to validate magnitude and underlying processes; an 'unknown unknown' is an uncertainty for which we have little or no means to quantify the importance or likely magnitude of a process or phenomenon, with limited theoretical and/or little or no empirical evidence. We hope that this paper will provide a useful 'checklist' for researchers quantifying gas exchange and that it will aid in prioritizing future research on air-sea gas fluxes.

Item Type:	Book Section
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 > Climatic Research Unit Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (former - to 2017) Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Climate, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (former - to 2017) Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
Depositing User:	Rosie Cullington
Date Deposited:	28 Jun 2011 13:57
Last Modified:	26 Jul 2023 09:49
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/33094
DOI:

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