A sensitivity study of the effect of global change on ocean carbon uptake

Olivier Klepper; Bronno J. de Haan

doi:10.3402/tellusb.v47i4.16063

A sensitivity study of the effect of global change on ocean carbon uptake

Tellus B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology

Volume 47 (1995): Issue 4

By: Olivier Klepper and Bronno J. de Haan

Open Access

|Jan 1995

Abstract

A two-dimensional global model of ocean chemistry and biology is used to calculate the sensitivity of oceanic CO₂ uptake during the next century to various biological and chemical feedback mechanisms. Model formulations are outlined and the model is validated for current conditions by comparison with data on ¹⁴C and bomb-¹⁴C, primary production, nitrogen, oxygen and DOC. The model includes several mechanisms that are influenced by global change: temperature effects, circulation rate, calcification, UV-damage, eutrophication and CO₂ fertilization. It is concluded that a temperature increase could provide a substantial positive feedback by its effect on ocean chemistry, decreasing carbon uptake by 16%. Biological mechanisms modify oceanic uptake to a relatively minor extent (some 5%) only, implying that abiotic models of anthropogenic CO₂ uptake are expected to give essentially the same answers as models including a biological carbon cycle.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusb.v47i4.16063 | Journal eISSN: 1600-0889

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Language: English

Page range: 490 - 500

Submitted on: Oct 3, 1993

Accepted on: Jan 25, 1995

Published on: Jan 1, 1995

Published by: Stockholm University Press

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

© 1995 Olivier Klepper, Bronno J. de Haan, published by Stockholm University Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 47 (1995): Issue 4