Ocean's response to a CO/sub 2/-induced warming
The effect of a large increase in atmospheric CO/sub 2/ on world climate was studied using a coupled ocean-atmosphere model. In particular, the predicted response of the ocean on the warming episode was considered. It was found that a fourfold increase in atmospheric CO/sub 2/ causes a warming effect of over 4 C, sufficient to produce a partial collapse of the thermohaline circulation (THC) of the ocean. It was inferred that as a result of the partial collapse of the THC the thermocline is able to sequester twice as much heat as would be predicted under normal climatic conditions, producing a negative feedback for greenhouse warming. However, the THC collapse would also affect the carbon cycle, possibly producing a feedback opposite to the effect of an increased heat uptake.
- Research Organization:
- NOAA, Princeton, NJ
- OSTI ID:
- 6833840
- Journal Information:
- J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 90
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CARBON CYCLE
GLOBAL ASPECTS
CARBON DIOXIDE
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
CLIMATES
VARIATIONS
AIR-WATER INTERACTIONS
GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
HEAT FLUX
SEAS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
520100 - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)