Ocean's response to a CO/sub 2/-induced warming

Journal Article · Wed Nov 20 04:00:00 EST 1985 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6833840

Bryan, K; Spelman, M J

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), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 90; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
520100 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR-WATER INTERACTIONS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON CYCLE
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CLIMATES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
HEAT FLUX
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
VARIATIONS