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NORKLIMA-Klimaendringer og konsekvenser for Norge

CARBON-HEAT- CARBON uptake and fluxes of water and HEAT in the North Atlantic Current

Awarded: NOK 4.7 mill.

Project Number:

185093

Application Type:

Project Period:

2008 - 2012

CARBON-HEAT is a three year project that will study a potential feedback between the ocean carbon cycle and climate change, relating to the flow speed and heat and carbon flux of the Atlantic water en route to the Arctic Ocean We intend to -Assess the de gree to which the Atlantic Water (AW) is equilibrated with respect to the atmospheric CO2 concentrations as it travels towards the Arctic Ocean. -Determine whether variability in flow speed and heat loss of the AW incurs spatial and temporal variations i n the CO2 saturation state. -Assess the magnitude of carbon cycle feedbacks that may follow from changes in the AW flow to the Arctic Ocean. The project will be carried out using in situ data and modeling tools. We aim to close gaps in the existing data base of observations of the carbon system in the area and to link these to the physical ocean system. Combined use of the observations and modeling is an integral part of the project plan. Model improvements achieved during this project will benefit the d evelopment of a Norwegian Earth System Model directly since the ocean component of the modeling system under development in NORCLIMA will be used here. Including 2 female researchers and one female Ph. D. candidate this project will promote recruitment of female scientists.

Funding scheme:

NORKLIMA-Klimaendringer og konsekvenser for Norge