Ocean Circulation and Climate, Volume 103
2nd Edition
A 21st Century Perspective
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Table of Contents
Contributors
Acknowledgments
Cover Graphics
Preface
Part I: The Ocean’s Role in the Climate System
Part I: The Ocean's Role in the Climate System
Chapter 1. The Ocean as a Component of the Climate System
Abstract
1 Setting the Scene
2 The Ocean as an Exchanging Earth System Reservoir
3 Atmosphere–Ocean Fluxes and Meridional Transports
4 Global-Scale Surface and Deep Ocean Circulations
5 Large-Scale Modes of Variability Involving the Ocean
6 The Ocean's Role in Past Climate Change
7 The Ocean in the Anthropocene
8 Concluding Thoughts
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 2. Paleoclimatic Ocean Circulation and Sea-Level Changes
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Reconstructing Past Ocean States
3 The Oceans in the Quaternary
4 The Deeper Past
5 Outlook
Acknowledgments
References
Part II: Ocean Observations
Part II: Ocean Observations
Chapter 3. In Situ Ocean Observations: A Brief History, Present Status, and Future Directions
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Development of Present Observational Capability
3 Emerging and Specialized Ocean Observing Technologies
4 Changes in Data Volume and Coverage and Implication for Synthesis Products
5 The Future: Outstanding Issues and a New Framework for Global Ocean Observing
6 Conclusions
References
Chapter 4. Remote Sensing of the Global Ocean Circulation
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Ocean General Circulation
3 Variability of the Large-Scale Ocean Circulation
4 Mesoscale Eddies and Fronts
5 Summary and Outlook
Acknowledgments
References
Part III: Ocean Processes
Part III: Ocean Processes
Chapter 5. Exchanges Through the Ocean Surface
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Air–Sea Exchange Formulae and Climatological Fields
3 Measurement Techniques and Review of Datasets
4 Variability and Extremes
5 Ocean Impacts
6 Outlook and Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 6. Thermodynamics of Seawater
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Absolute Salinity SA and Preformed Salinity S*
3 The Gibbs-Function Approach to Evaluating Thermodynamic Properties
4 The First Law of Thermodynamics and Conservative Temperature Θ
5 The 48-Term Expression for Specific Volume
6 Changes to Oceanographic Practice Under TEOS-10
7 Ocean Modeling Using TEOS-10
8 Summary
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 7. Diapycnal Mixing Processes in the Ocean Interior
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Mixing Basics
3 Turbulence in and Below the Surface Mixed Layer
4 Mixing in the Ocean Interior
5 Discussion
6 Summary and Future Directions
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 8. Lateral Transport in the Ocean Interior
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Theory of Mass, Tracer, and Vector Transport
3 Observations and Models of Spatial Variations of Eddy Statistics
4 Mesoscale Isoneutral Diffusivity Variation Parameterizations
5 Conclusions and Remaining Questions
Acknowledgment
References
Chapter 9. Global Distribution and Formation of Mode Waters
Abstract
1 Mode Water Observations
2 Global Water Mass Census of the Upper Ocean
3 Global Distribution of Mode Water
4 Formation of Mode Water
5 PV Framework
6 Mode Water and Climate
7 Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 10. Deepwater Formation
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Processes of Deepwater Formation
3 Interannual and Decadal Variability in Properties, Formation Rate, and Circulation
4 Conclusions and Outlook
References
Part VI: Ocean Circulation and Water Masses
Part IV: Ocean Circulation and Water Masses
Chapter 11. Conceptual Models of the Wind-Driven and Thermohaline Circulation
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Wind-Driven Circulation
3 Thermohaline Circulation
4 Transient Behaviour of the Wind-Driven and Thermohaline Circulation
5 Discussion and Perspective
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 12. Ocean Surface Circulation
Abstract
1 Observed Near-Surface Currents
2 Geostrophic Surface Circulation
3 Ageostrophic Currents
4 Regional Surface Ocean Dynamics
5 Applications
6 Future Directions
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 13. Western Boundary Currents
Abstract
1 General Features
2 North Atlantic
3 South Atlantic
4 Indian Ocean
5 North Pacific
6 South Pacific
7 Concluding Remarks
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 14. Currents and Processes along the Eastern Boundaries
Abstract
1 Introduction and General Background
2 Low-Latitude EBCs
3 Midlatitude EBCs: The EBUS
4 High-Latitude EBCs
5 Climate Variability and the Ocean’s Eastern Boundaries
6 Summary
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 15. The Tropical Ocean Circulation and Dynamics
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Tropical Pacific Variability
3 Tropical Atlantic Variability
4 Tropical Indian Ocean Variability
5 Progresses in Tropical Climate Predictions
6 Outlooks
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 16. The Marine Cryosphere
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Sea Ice
3 Land Ice
4 Marine Permafrost
5 Emerging Capabilities
6 Cryospheric Change
7 Summary
References
Chapter 17. The Arctic and Subarctic Oceans/Seas
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Exchanges with the Subpolar Oceans and Beyond
3 Currents and Water Mass Transformations in the Arctic/Subarctic
4 Evidence of Long-term Changes in the Arctic/Subarctic
5 Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 18. Dynamics of the Southern Ocean Circulation
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Progress in Understanding Southern Ocean Dynamics During WOCE (1990–2002)
3 The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC)
4 Southern Ocean Overturning Circulation
5 Southern Ocean Change
6 Summary and Outstanding Challenges
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 19. Interocean and Interbasin Exchanges
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Interocean Exchanges at Choke Points
3 Interbasin Exchanges
4 Deep Passages
5 Discussion
Acknowledgments
References
Part V: Modeling the Ocean Climate System
Part V: Modeling the Ocean Climate System
Chapters in This Part of the Book
The Need for Ongoing Efforts from Future Generations
Chapter 20. Ocean Circulation Models and Modeling
Abstract
1 Scope of this Chapter
2 Physical and Numerical Basis for Ocean Models
3 Ocean Modeling: Science Emerging from Simulations
4 Summary Remarks
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 21. Dynamically and Kinematically Consistent Global Ocean Circulation and Ice State Estimates
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Definition
3 Data Assimilation and the Reanalyses
4 Ocean State Estimates
5 Global-Scale Solutions
6 The Uncertainty Problem
7 Discussion
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 22. Methods and Applications of Ocean Synthesis in Climate Research
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Methods with a Focus on Developments in the Last Decade
3 Applications for Climate Research
4 Assessments of the Impact of New and Future Climate Observing Systems
5 Conclusion and Future Challenges
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 23. Coupled Models and Climate Projections
Abstract
1 Formulation of Coupled Models
2 Flux Adjustments
3 Control Runs
4 Twentieth Century Runs
5 Future Projections
6 North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
7 El Nino/Southern Oscillation
8 Uses of Climate Models
9 Limitations of Climate Models
10 Cutting Edge Issues
Acknowledgments
References
Further Reading
Chapter 24. The Ocean’s Role in Modeling and Predicting Seasonal-to-Interannual Climate Variations
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 The Scientific Basis for Seasonal-to-Interannual Prediction
3 Development of Seasonal-to-Interannual Prediction Systems
4 Closing Remarks: Challenges for the Future Research
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 25. The Ocean's Role in Modeling and Predicting Decadal Climate Variations
Abstract
Abbreviations
1 Introduction
2 Tropical Pacific and Tropical Atlantic Decadal Variability
3 Description of Extratropical Decadal Variability from Observations
4 The Stochastic Climate Model: The Null Hypothesis for Climate Variability
5 Decadal Predictability
6 Summary and Discussion
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 26. Modeling Ocean Biogeochemical Processes and the Resulting Tracer Distributions
Abstract
1 Goals of Ocean Biogeochemical Modeling within Climate Research
2 Concepts and Methods of Biogeochemical Ocean Modeling
3 Model Results, Evaluation, Skill, and Limits, and Model Data Fusion/Data Assimilation
4 Major Marine Carbon Modeling Findings of the Recent Decade
5 Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
Further Reading
Part VI: The Changing Ocean
Part VI: The Changing Ocean
Chapter 27. Sea-Level and Ocean Heat-Content Change
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Fundamental Concepts of Sea-Level Change
3 Observations of Sea-Level Change
4 Observations of Ocean Heat-Content and Steric Sea-Level Change
5 Understanding Observed Sea-Level Change
6 Prediction and Projections of Future Sea-Level Change
7 Future Outlook
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 28. Long-term Salinity Changes and Implications for the Global Water Cycle
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Salinity Observations in the Global Oceans
3 Observed Salinity Variability
4 Observed Long-Term Changes to Ocean Salinity
5 Ocean Salinity—Relationship to the Global Water Cycle
6 Modeling Ocean Salinity Variability and Change
7 Summary and Outlook
Acknowledgments
References
Further Reading
Chapter 29. Ocean Heat Transport
Abstract
1 Background
2 Calculation of Ocean Heat Transport
3 Observation-Based Estimates of Ocean Heat Transport
4 Understanding Mechanisms
5 Ocean Heat Transport Variability
6 Synthesis and Summary
References
Further-Reading
Chapter 30. The Marine Carbon Cycle and Ocean Carbon Inventories
Abstract
1 Introduction and Background to the Marine Carbon Cycle
2 History of Observations and Capacity to Collect Marine Carbon Cycle Measurements
3 The Anthropogenic Perturbation of the Marine Carbonate System
4 Ocean Inventories, Storage Rates, and Uptake of CO2 and Cant
5 Ocean Time-Series Validation of Trends in DIC/pCO2/Cant
6 Conclusion and Outlook
Acknowledgments
References
Further Reading
Chapter 31. Marine Ecosystems, Biogeochemistry, and Climate
Abstract
1 Introduction
2 Phytoplankton, Primary Production, and Climate
3 Climate Impacts on Higher Trophic Levels
4 Ocean Acidification
5 Deoxygenation and Hypoxia
6 Marine Biogeochemical Cycles–Climate Interactions
7 Observational and Research Directions
Acknowledgments
References
Index
Description
The book represents all the knowledge we currently have on ocean circulation. It presents an up-to-date summary of the state of the science relating to the role of the oceans in the physical climate system.
The book is structured to guide the reader through the wide range of world ocean circulation experiment (WOCE) science in a consistent way. Cross-references between contributors have been added, and the book has a comprehensive index and unified reference list.
The book is simple to read, at the undergraduate level. It was written by the best scientists in the world who have collaborated to carry out years of experiments to better understand ocean circulation.
Key Features
- Presents in situ and remote observations with worldwide coverage
- Provides theoretical understanding of processes within the ocean and at its boundaries to other Earth System components
- Allows for simulating ocean and climate processes in the past, present and future using a hierarchy of physical-biogeochemical models
Readership
Graduate students, practitioners, researchers in oceanographic fields, atmospheric and meteorological studies
Details
- No. of pages:
- 904
- Language:
- English
- Copyright:
- © Academic Press 2013
- Published:
- 25th November 2013
- Imprint:
- Academic Press
- Hardcover ISBN:
- 9780123918512
- eBook ISBN:
- 9780123918536
Reviews
"The current state of knowledge is summarized in this new book, written by 76 authors from 15 countries...Two developments in particular provided new knowledge on the oceanic circulation. First there has been a most remarkable progress in ocean observations, with a transition from special experiments to long-term monitoring… The second cause is the rapid progress in the modeling of ocean, sea ice and atmosphere." --CLIVAR.org, February 2014
The introduction of the book summarizes the role of ocean in the present climate system and in the earlier paleoclimate state. After a discussion of current observational methods, new results are given on physical processes in the ocean… Because of the increasing importance of models for the understanding and prediction of ocean and climate change, a large part of the book deals with modeling and the results on long-term changes." --Geomar online, November 2013
"Ocean Circulation and Climate belongs on every climate geek's holiday wish list…the book, subtitled ‘A 21st Century Perspective", is both timely and important. It contains 31 chapters that span the present state of knowledge. The 78 authors provide a truly international perspective as recognized experts in their respective fields." --TheGuardian.com, November 2013
"Ocean Circulation and Climate is the culmination of a multi-national, multi-decadal program designed to observe the global ocean. ...a voluminous book, unique in that there is no other single volume to which one can turn as a source for the cutting edge of knowledge of the large-scale circulation and properties of the ocean. ...lays the foundation for the daunting challenge of understanding the future of the world oceans and their role in climate change." --Journal Of International Geoscience
"...excellent editing and production quality plus hundreds of diagrams and dozens of color plates. It will be essential for ocean and climate scientists for years to come." --New Scientist, October 2001
Ratings and Reviews
About the Series Volume Editors

Gerold Siedler
Gerold Siedler is a physical oceanographer at the marine research institute in Kiel/Germany. He established a highly regarded ocean observing unit and participated in almost 30 research cruises. His research focused on ocean processes and circulation in all three oceans. He was professor at Kiel University, Director of the marine research institute IfM (1976-1978) and Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences (1991-1992) at Kiel University. In addition he worked as visiting investigator abroad, in particular at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the USA, including teaching in the WHOI/MIT joint program. He performed research at the University of Miami, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Pasadena, the University of Hawaii in the USA, the Laboratory for the Physics of the Ocean, Paris and Ifremer/Brest in France, and as a Humboldt researcher at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He served in leading functions in major international ocean/climate programs, in particular GATE and WOCE. He was a vice-president of the Association for the Physical Sciences of the Ocean (IAPSO, 1975-1979) and a president of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR, 1983-1988) at ICSU. He published 77 peer-reviewed papers, authored or edited 4 books and contributed to 18 books. He is now Emeritus Professor at Kiel University.
Affiliations and Expertise
Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Kiel, Germany

Stephen Griffies
Stephen Griffies is a senior scientist at NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Princeton, USA. He is an expert on physical and numerical aspects of ocean circulation models and their applications for understanding and predicting large-scale climate phenomena. His research focuses on questions related to global and regional sea level; ocean mesoscale dynamics and parameterizations; climate predictability; physically based analysis methods; and numerical algorithms. He is a leader in projects associated with the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), having led the WCRP/CLIVAR Working Group on Ocean Model Development as part of coordinating ocean climate modeling efforts worldwide. Besides his 20 years in Princeton, he has worked for extended periods in Australia on topics related to the ocean climate modeling, Southern Ocean dynamics, and physical ocean processes. He authored a standard monograph on fundamentals of ocean climate models and co-authored more than 80 peer-reviewed research articles. He was awarded the 2014 Fridtjof Nansen Medal from the European Geosciences Union for contributions to oceanography.
Affiliations and Expertise
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ, USA

John Gould
John Gould (sometimes known as W. John) has had a long career in ocean research mostly focused on the collection and interpretation of ocean current measurements. His career started with working with John Swallow, who first developed the neutrally buoyant float at the UK National Institute of Oceanography. He led many research cruises in the North Atlantic Ocean. He was Project Director of the World Climate Research Programme’s World Ocean Circulation Experiment- WOCE (1993-2002) and of its Climate Variability and Predictability Study -CLIVAR (1998-2002). From 2002-2006 he directed the international Argo profiling float project. At various times he has chaired the ICES Oceanic Hydrography Working Group and been a member of the executive of the International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Ocean and a member of the advisory board for Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS). He has an interest in widening public awareness of marine science and of the oceans’ role in climate. He is a member of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysic’s History Working Group and is a visiting scientist at the UK’s National Oceanography Centre.
Affiliations and Expertise
Southampton Oceanography Centre, Southampton, U.K.

John Church
John Church is a CSIRO Fellow with the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research. His area of expertise is the role of the ocean in climate, particularly anthropogenic climate change and sea-level rise. He has been a Principal Investigator on NASA/CNES satellite altimeter Science Working Teams since 1987. He was co-convening lead author for the Chapter on Sea Level in the IPCC Third and Fifth Assessment Reports. He Co-Chaired the international Scientific Steering Group for the World Ocean Circulation Experiment from 1994 to 1998 and Chaired the Joint Scientific Committee of the World Climate Research Programme from 2006 to 2008. He was awarded the 2006 Roger Revelle Medal by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, was a winner of a CSIRO Medal for Research Achievement in 2006, won the 2007 Eureka Prize for Scientific Research and presented the 2008 AMOS R.H. Clarke Lecture. He is the author of over 120 refereed publications, 80 other reports and co-edited three books. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.
Affiliations and Expertise
Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, a Partnership between CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology, Hobart, Australia
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