Project presentation - Phase VI BELCANTO III - Integrated Study of Southern Ocean Biogeochemistry and Climate Interactions in the Anthropocene Subject and objectives The Southern Ocean (SO) ecosystem is crucial in global biogeochemical cycles (C, N, Si, P, Fe) and climate regulation, notably through its capacity to absorb atmospheric CO2, a major greenhouse gas. Large uncertainties surround estimate by current global ocean biogeochemical models of the contemporary SO contribution to the global oceanic CO2 sink (Watson and Orr, 2003). Such differences between model results were attributed to physical and biogeochemical processes being inadequately resolved. The overall objective of the proposed research is to conduct targeted process studies and develop new proxies to construct and validate a realistic 3D ice-ocean biogeochemical model for the area south of latitude 30°S, based on improved understanding of factors regulating interactions between the atmosphere, ocean circulation and biogeochemical cycles and on synthesis/collection of existing/new data sets. When properly validated the model will (i) reduce uncertainty linked to the assessment of the role of SO as source/sink of atmospheric CO2 and estimate the related impact on biogeochemical cycles and (ii) improve our capability to predict the SO response to future increase of atmospheric CO2 and temperature, acidification and changes in oceanic circulation. Complementary resources about this scientific project
Partners and Contact information Coordinator: Frank Dehairs Partner
2: Christiane Lancelot Partner 3: Luc
André Partner
4: Dr. Hugues Goosse Partner 5: Alberto Borges |
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