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National Science Foundation Award #0538454

Studies of Physical-biogeochemical Interactions in the Southern Ocean

 
Investigator(s): John Marshall (PI) ; Michael Follows (Co-PI)
Sponsor: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA 02139 6172531000
Start Date/Expiration Date 2006-04-01 to 2007-03-31 (amended 2006-03-27)
Awarded Amount to Date: $199,859
Abstract: This project will develop a three-dimensional numerical model of ocean circulation, tracer transport and biogeochemistry, and apply these to the Southern Ocean. More limited prior studies, which had focused on zonally averaged, axisymmetric aspects of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, will be extended in a study of the controls that give rise to regional and basin-to-basin variations in the dynamics and biogeochemistry of the Southern Ocean. Key scientific questions motivating the study are: What are the dynamics underlying the zonal asymmetries in the meridional overturning circulation; what are the respective roles of topographic constraints, surface forcing functions (wind and buoyancy) and communication with the rest of the world ocean, and what are the implications of asymmetries for the uptake and storage of transient tracers, anthropogenic carbon dioxide, and the patterns of biological productivity. The ultimate objective is to gain a better understanding of the influence of mesoscale oceanic processes on tracer transport, and how to represent those processes in coarser resolution diagnostic and predictive models.
NSF Org: ANT - Antarctic Sciences Section
Award Number: 0538454
Award Instrument: Continuing grant
Program Manager: Bernhard Lettau
ANT Antarctic Sciences Section
OPP Office of Polar Programs
NSF Program(s): ANTARCTIC OCEANS & CLIMATE SYS
Field Application(s): Polar Programs-Related
Program Reference Code(s): UNASSIGNED, 0000
Program Element Code(s): 5113