Hierarchy of calibrated global models reveals improved distributions and fluxes of biogeochemical tracers in models with explicit representation of iron.

Yao, Wanxuan, Kvale, Karin F. , Achterberg, Eric P. , Koeve, Wolfgang and Oschlies, Andreas (2019) Hierarchy of calibrated global models reveals improved distributions and fluxes of biogeochemical tracers in models with explicit representation of iron. Open Access Environmental Research Letters, 14 (11). Art. Nr. 114009. DOI 10.1088/1748-9326/ab4c52.

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Abstract

Iron is represented in biogeochemical ocean models by a variety of structurally different approaches employing generally poorly constrained empirical parameterizations. Increasing the structural complexity of iron modules also increases computational costs and introduces additional uncertainties, with as yet unclear benefits. In order to demonstrate the benefits of explicitly representing iron, we calibrate a hierarchy of iron modules and evaluate the remaining model-data misfit. The first module includes a complex iron cycle with major processes resolved explicitly, the second module applies iron limitation in primary production using prescribed monthly iron concentration fields, and the third module does not explicitly include iron effects at all. All three modules are embedded into the same circulation model. Models are calibrated against global data sets of NO3, PO4 and O2 applying a state-of-the-art multi-variable constraint parameter optimization. The model with fully resolved iron cycle is marginally (up to 4.8%) better at representing global distributions of NO3, PO4 and O2 compared to models with implicit or absent parameterizations of iron. We also found a slow down of global surface nutrient cycling by about 30% and a shift of productivity from the tropics to temperate regions for the explicit iron module. The explicit iron model also reduces the otherwise overestimated volume of suboxic waters, yielding results closer to observations.

Document Type: Article
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB2 Marine Biogeochemistry > FB2-BM Biogeochemical Modeling
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB2 Marine Biogeochemistry > FB2-CH Chemical Oceanography
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB2 Marine Biogeochemistry > FB2-CH Chemical Oceanography > Water column biogeochemistry
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: Yes
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Related URLs:
Projects: Opendap
Date Deposited: 05 Nov 2019 08:18
Last Modified: 31 Jan 2022 09:19
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/48169

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