Ocean Observations

Ocean Observations

Ocean ObservationsNandini RameshIPCC AR5 WG1 - Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science BasisSeminar in Atmospheric Science21st February, 201411. IntroductionThe ocean exchanges heat, freshwater, and C with the atmosphere.Large heat capacityCurrently storing 30% of our C emissionsLarge heat capacity + inertia = the ocean integrates short term variability. This makes it a good indicator of long-term change.Less long-term coverage of ocean variables than for the atmosphere.22. Ocean Temperature & Heat ContentOur observation system has changed over time and spaceData from 1970 onwards is fit for this analysis therefore changes since 1971 are documented here.Biases in XBTs & MBTs have been corrected for since AR4. These produced spurious decadal variability.Differences in background climatology & how poorly-sampled regions are dealt with produce disagreement among estimates.Upper ocean heat content (UOHC) changes on many timescales, deep ocean only on long timescales.3Upper Ocean Temperature (