
Ocean Circulation and Climate
A 21st Century Perspective
Description
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
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
Product details
- No. of pages: 904
- Language: English
- Copyright: © Academic Press 2013
- Published: October 22, 2013
- Imprint: Academic Press
- eBook ISBN: 9780123918536
- Hardcover ISBN: 9780123918512
About the Series Volume Editors
Gerold Siedler

Affiliations and Expertise
Stephen Griffies

Affiliations and Expertise
John Gould

Affiliations and Expertise
John Church
