SPICE · Submesoscale Processes in a Changing Environment
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-08-01 → 2023-07-31
- EU contribution
- €203,852
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Submesoscale Processes in a Changing Environment
The SPICE project addresses the complex realm of submesoscale processes in the Southern Ocean, which involve dynamic interactions among energetic eddies, wavy filaments, and intensified vertical motion spanning distances of 10-100 kilometers. These processes have a profound impact on heat and carbon exchange between the ocean and atmosphere, with global implications for carbon and climate dynamics. As the Southern Ocean absorbs 75% of the world's oceanic carbon dioxide, it holds immense importance for addressing climate change. However, gathering observations in this remote and harsh environment remains a challenge, requiring precise spatiotemporal resolution to quantify submesoscale phenomena and their role in air-sea heat and carbon exchange, thereby influencing global carbon and climate systems. The Southern Ocean plays a pivotal role in society by mitigating climate change through absorbing a significant amount of carbon dioxide and heat from the atmosphere, thus curbing the greenhouse effect and global warming. Understanding the impact of submesoscale processes on the exchange of carbon and heat between the ocean and atmosphere is critical for accurately quantifying the Southern Ocean's contribution to climate change mitigation. This knowledge is vital for the development of reliable climate models, which inform policymakers and international organizations in their efforts to combat climate change. By gaining an understanding of the Southern Ocean's role in carbon uptake, policymakers can make informed decisions regarding emissions reduction and carbon sequestration initiatives, thereby influencing climate change mitigation strategies. Overall Objectives: Field Experiments and Data Collection: This phase involves using autonomous platform to collect observational data on submesoscale processes, particularly their influence on heat and carbon exchange within the Southern Ocean. The aim is to build a comprehensive and high-resolution dataset for subsequent analysis. Data Analysis and Research Findings: The gathered data undergoes investigation for the impact of submesoscale processes on the exchange of heat and carbon between the ocean and the atmosphere. The objective is to deepen our understanding of these intricate processes and their implications for the climate system. Unique Modeling and Observational Synergy: SPICE combines ocean modeling and observational data synergistically. This approach integrates observational knowledge into climate models, improving their forecasting accuracy. It also helps refine the representation of submesoscale processes in these models, connecting observational data with climate modeling. Our ultimate aim is to boost our ability to predict and respond to climate change effectively.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
I believe a key challenge to reducing the uncertainty of global climate model projections is quantifying the role of submesoscale (0.1-10km, hours-days) ocean processes on the ocean-atmosphere exchange of heat and carbon in the remote Southern Ocean. In SPICE, I aim to address this knowledge gap using ocean observations from state-of-the-art marine robots and high-resolution numerical models. Using this novel data I will for the first time 1) quantify the variability of heat and carbon air-sea fluxes in the Southern Ocean, and 2) better understand how upper ocean submesoscale processes modulate this exchange of heat and carbon between the atmosphere and the ocean interior, where it can be stored for millennia. SPICE will achieve three primary scientific objectives: (1) I will participate in an oceanographic research expedition to the Southern Ocean, to further learn about, and deploy autonomous ocean platforms. This pioneering science experiment will collect the required air-sea heat and carbon fluxes and oceanographic data in the sea-ice impacted Southern Ocean. (2) Perform scientific data analysis and research with my host, and during two secondments, to gain the longstanding skill and knowledge to quantify the impact of submesoscale processes on the air-sea flux of heat and carbon. (3) Employ a synergetic modelling and observational approach, whereby I will perform ultra-high-resolution simulations of the ocean to upscale the observational findings to address current and future climate challenges. By achieving these objectives, this Fellowship will provide me with the skills and network that I require to enhance my academic standing and research capability for years to come. This field of polar science is my passion and my longer-term ambition is to be an excellent and independent Earth System scientist who can build a long-standing career in Europe.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- GOETEBORGS UNIVERSITET · GoeteborgCoordinatorSweden
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union