IPCC AR5 WG1 - Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Ocean Observations. Nandini Ramesh. Seminar in Atmospheric Science21 st February, 2014. 1. Introduction. The ocean exchanges heat, freshwater, and C with the atmosphere. Large heat capacity - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Ocean Observations
Ocean ObservationsNandini RameshIPCC AR5 WG1 - Climate Change
2013: The Physical Science BasisSeminar in Atmospheric Science21st
February, 201411. IntroductionThe ocean exchanges heat, freshwater,
and C with the atmosphere.Large heat capacityCurrently storing 30%
of our C emissionsLarge heat capacity + inertia = the ocean
integrates short term variability. This makes it a good indicator
of long-term change.Less long-term coverage of ocean variables than
for the atmosphere.22. Ocean Temperature & Heat ContentOur
observation system has changed over time and spaceData from 1970
onwards is fit for this analysis therefore changes since 1971 are
documented here.Biases in XBTs & MBTs have been corrected for
since AR4. These produced spurious decadal variability.Differences
in background climatology & how poorly-sampled regions are
dealt with produce disagreement among estimates.Upper ocean heat
content (UOHC) changes on many timescales, deep ocean only on long
timescales.3Upper Ocean Temperature (
