Surface exchange of climate active gases in a changing Arctic system
Surface exchange of climate active gases in a changing Arctic system
Oceans play an important role in cycling gases that interact with the Earth’s atmosphere and the climate system. Many of these gases (CO2, CH4, N2O) contribute to climate warming, while others (DMS) have a cooling effect by promoting cloud formation. The Arctic Ocean is thought to be particularly active in exchanging these gases, but putting precise numbers on that exchange is challenging, due largely to the complicating presence of sea ice. Through collaboration with ArcticNet (NCE) and Canadian Arctic GEOTRACES (NSERC CCAR), the overarching goal of this project is to understand the present role of the Arctic Ocean in the exchange and budget of climate relevant gases, and to identify feedbacks and linkages to climate change. Amundsen 2015 research, in support of this goal, will include measurements of (i) CO2, CH4, and N2O, in the atmosphere and seawater, and ii) components of the ocean system so that we may investigate the biological, geological, and chemical (biogeochemical) processes that produce and consume these gases, and the processes that allow gases to transfer between the ocean and the atmosphere. Ultimately these measurements will feed into numerical models to predict the future role of the Arctic Ocean in gas exchange.
Fieldwork site: CCGS Amundsen/Baffin Bay, Nares Strait, Northwest Passage, Beaufort Sea
PI: T.Papakyriakou
Project participants: Tim Papakyriakou (CEOS), Sebastian Luque (CEOS), Kang Wang (CEOS), Jacoba Mol (Dalhousie University), Brent Else (University of Calgary), Lisa Miller (DFO-ISO), Helmuth Thomas (Dalhousie University), Philippe Tortell (UBC).