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Calibration of an existing biogeochemical model of DMS production in the Antarctic Southern Ocean.

Entry ID: ASAC_1227

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Summary

Abstract: This project used computer-based modelling and existing field data to analyse the production and cycling of dimethylsulphide (DMS) and predicted its role in climate regulation in the Antarctic Southern Ocean.

From the Final Report:

Aims
(i) To calibrate an existing dimethylsulphide (DMS) production model in a section of the Antarctic Southern Ocean.

(ii) To use the calibrated model to ... investigate the effect of GCM-predicted climate change on the production and sea-to-air flux of DMS under current and enhanced greenhouse climatic conditions.

(iii) To provide regional assessments of the sign and strength of the DMS-climate feedback in the Southern Ocean. Characteristics of Study Region:

Our study region extends from 60-65 degrees S, 123-145 degrees E in the Antarctic Southern Ocean, and was the site of a major biological study in the austral summer of 1996 (Wright and van den Enden, 2000). Field observations show that a short-lived spring-summer bloom event is typical of these waters (El-Sayed, 1988, Skerratt et al. 1995); however there can be high interannual variability in the timing and magnitude of the bloom (Marchant and Murphy, 1994). The phytoplankton community structure has been described by Wright and van den Enden (2000), who report maximum chlorophyll (Chl) concentrations during January-March in the range (1.0-3.4) microgL-1. During this survey, macronutrients did not limit phytoplankton growth. Thermal stratification of the mixed layer was strongly correlated with high algal densities, with strong subsurface Chl maxima (at the pycnocline) observed. The mixed layer depth determined both phytoplankton community composition and maximum algal biomass. Coccolithophorids (noted DMS producers) were favoured by deep mixed layers, with diatoms dominating the more strongly stratified waters. Pycnocline depth varied from 20-50 m in open water. Algal abundance appeared to be controlled by salp and krill grazing.

Field data support the existence of seasonal DMS production in the Antarctic region. However, a large range in DMS concentrations has been reported in the open ocean , reflecting both seasonal and spatial variability (Gibson et al., 1990, Berresheim, 1987; Fogelqvist, 1991). Blooms of the coccolithophores, and prymnesiophytes such as Phaeocystis, form a significant fraction (~23%) of the algal biomass (Waters et al 2000). Concentrations of DMS in sea ice are reported to be very high (Turner et al. 1995) and may be responsible for elevated water concentrations during release from melt water (Inomata et al. 1997). Field measurements of dissolved DMS made in the study region have been summarised by Curran et al. (1998). DMS concentrations were variable in the open ocean during spring and summer (range: 0-22 nM), with the higher values recorded in the seasonal ice zone and close to the Antarctic continent. Zonal average monthly mean DMS in the study region have been estimated by Kettle et al. (1999).

(See downloadable full report for reference list).

Related URL

Link: GET DATA

Description: Download point for the data

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: -60.0

S: -65.0

E: 145.0

W: 123.0

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 2000-09-30

Stop Date: 2001-03-31

Location Keywords

OCEAN > SOUTHERN OCEAN

GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR

Science Keywords

OCEANS > OCEAN CHEMISTRY > BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES

ISO Topic Category

GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

OCEANS

Quality Values provided in temporal coverage are approximate only.

Access Constraints The report from the project can be accessed from the url given below.

Use Constraints This data set conforms to the PICCCBY Attribution License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).

Ancillary Keywords

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES

CLIMATE CHANGE

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Originating Center

Data Center

Australian Antarctic Data Centre, Australia

Data Center URL: http://data.aad.gov.au

Data Center Personnel
Name: DATA OFFICER AADC Phone: +61 3 6232 3244 Fax: +61 3 6232 3351 Email: metadata at aad.gov.au Contact Address: Australian Antarctic Division 203 Channel Highway City: Kingston Province or State: Tasmania Postal Code: 7050 Country: Australia

Distribution

Distribution Media: HTTP

Distribution Size: 187 KB

Distribution Format: Word

Fees: Free

Personnel

ALBERT GABRIC

Role: INVESTIGATOR

Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Phone: +61 7 3875 7513

Fax: +61 7 3875 7459

Email: a.gabric at mailbox.gu.edu.au

Contact Address:

GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

City: NATHAN

Province or State: QLD

Postal Code: 4111

Country: Australia

Publications/References

Gabric, A.J., Cropp, R., Hirst, T., Marchant, H.J. (2003) The sensitivity of dimethyl sulfide production to simulated climate change in the Eastern Antarctic Southern Ocean. Tellus 55B. 966-981

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2000-08-11

Last DIF Revision Date: 2008-04-10

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