Oceanic and Atmospheric Processes that Contribute to Arctic Warming

Oceanic and Atmospheric Processes that Contribute to Arctic Warming PDF Author: Emma Beer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The surface temperature in the Arctic has warmed at twice the rate of the global mean temperature during recent decades. This Arctic amplification of global warming has been a striking feature of climate change, and many studies have investigated what processes contribute to this phenomenon. Many of these processes are often described in the context of climate feedbacks using analyses focused on top-of-the-atmosphere radiative changes. In this context, regional surface warming can then be partitioned into contributions from each feedback process. However, this partitioning can be complicated by interactions between feedbacks themselves and atmospheric heat transport. In the second chapter, we instead apply a feedback-locking approach and evaluate the resulting changes in surface temperature. These results are strikingly different from previous feedback analyses, highlighting the important role of interactions within the climate system. This chapter and many other previous studies focus only on the role of atmospheric and surface processes in Arctic amplification. However, substantial questions remain regarding the role of ocean heat transport. In the third chapter, we investigate changes in oceanic heat fluxes under global warming. We find a mechanism associated with the presence of sea ice that drives enhanced horizontal ocean heat transport into the Arctic region and can contribute substantially to Arctic amplification if this heat is allowed to reach the surface. Currently, only a small amount of the heat stored at depth in the Arctic Ocean can reach the surface, but recent observational studies have argued that sea ice retreat could result in enhanced vertical mixing. In the fourth chapter, we investigate the impacts of a positive feedback whereby increased vertical mixing due to sea ice retreat causes the previously isolated subsurface Arctic Ocean heat to melt more sea ice. We find that an abrupt "tipping point" can occur under global warming, with an associated hysteresis window, for a limited range of parameters. Throughout the thesis, we use idealized models to show how ocean and climate processes can impact Arctic warming, providing insights into possible physical mechanisms that could be at play now or in the future.

Oceanic and Atmospheric Processes that Contribute to Arctic Warming

Oceanic and Atmospheric Processes that Contribute to Arctic Warming PDF Author: Emma Beer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
The surface temperature in the Arctic has warmed at twice the rate of the global mean temperature during recent decades. This Arctic amplification of global warming has been a striking feature of climate change, and many studies have investigated what processes contribute to this phenomenon. Many of these processes are often described in the context of climate feedbacks using analyses focused on top-of-the-atmosphere radiative changes. In this context, regional surface warming can then be partitioned into contributions from each feedback process. However, this partitioning can be complicated by interactions between feedbacks themselves and atmospheric heat transport. In the second chapter, we instead apply a feedback-locking approach and evaluate the resulting changes in surface temperature. These results are strikingly different from previous feedback analyses, highlighting the important role of interactions within the climate system. This chapter and many other previous studies focus only on the role of atmospheric and surface processes in Arctic amplification. However, substantial questions remain regarding the role of ocean heat transport. In the third chapter, we investigate changes in oceanic heat fluxes under global warming. We find a mechanism associated with the presence of sea ice that drives enhanced horizontal ocean heat transport into the Arctic region and can contribute substantially to Arctic amplification if this heat is allowed to reach the surface. Currently, only a small amount of the heat stored at depth in the Arctic Ocean can reach the surface, but recent observational studies have argued that sea ice retreat could result in enhanced vertical mixing. In the fourth chapter, we investigate the impacts of a positive feedback whereby increased vertical mixing due to sea ice retreat causes the previously isolated subsurface Arctic Ocean heat to melt more sea ice. We find that an abrupt "tipping point" can occur under global warming, with an associated hysteresis window, for a limited range of parameters. Throughout the thesis, we use idealized models to show how ocean and climate processes can impact Arctic warming, providing insights into possible physical mechanisms that could be at play now or in the future.

Arctic Climate Change

Arctic Climate Change PDF Author: Peter Lemke
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400720270
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 473

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Book Description
The Arctic is now experiencing some of the most rapid and severe climate change on earth. Over the next 100 years, climate change is expected to accelerate, contributing to major physical, ecological, social, and economic changes, many of which have already begun. Changes in arctic climate will also affect the rest of the world through increased global warming and rising sea levels. The volume addresses the following major topics: - Research results in observing aspects of the Arctic climate system and its processes across a range of time and space scales - Representation of cryospheric, atmospheric, and oceanic processes in models, including simulation of their interaction with coupled models - Our understanding of the role of the Arctic in the global climate system, its response to large-scale climate variations, and the processes involved.

Arctic Climate Change

Arctic Climate Change PDF Author: Peter Lemke
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9789400720282
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 464

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Book Description
The Arctic is now experiencing some of the most rapid and severe climate change on earth. Over the next 100 years, climate change is expected to accelerate, contributing to major physical, ecological, social, and economic changes, many of which have already begun. Changes in arctic climate will also affect the rest of the world through increased global warming and rising sea levels. The volume addresses the following major topics: - Research results in observing aspects of the Arctic climate system and its processes across a range of time and space scales - Representation of cryospheric, atmospheric, and oceanic processes in models, including simulation of their interaction with coupled models - Our understanding of the role of the Arctic in the global climate system, its response to large-scale climate variations, and the processes involved.

The Arctic Basin

The Arctic Basin PDF Author: Ivan E. Frolov
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540376658
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
A group of authors from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute in St Petersburg, Russia, have all achieved individual doctoral theses on various aspects of Arctic and Antarctic research. This book is written by experienced group of researchers and authors.

Abrupt Climate Change

Abrupt Climate Change PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309133041
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Book Description
The climate record for the past 100,000 years clearly indicates that the climate system has undergone periodic-and often extreme-shifts, sometimes in as little as a decade or less. The causes of abrupt climate changes have not been clearly established, but the triggering of events is likely to be the result of multiple natural processes. Abrupt climate changes of the magnitude seen in the past would have far-reaching implications for human society and ecosystems, including major impacts on energy consumption and water supply demands. Could such a change happen again? Are human activities exacerbating the likelihood of abrupt climate change? What are the potential societal consequences of such a change? Abrupt Climate Change: Inevitable Surprises looks at the current scientific evidence and theoretical understanding to describe what is currently known about abrupt climate change, including patterns and magnitudes, mechanisms, and probability of occurrence. It identifies critical knowledge gaps concerning the potential for future abrupt changes, including those aspects of change most important to society and economies, and outlines a research strategy to close those gaps. Based on the best and most current research available, this book surveys the history of climate change and makes a series of specific recommendations for the future.

The Arctic Climate System

The Arctic Climate System PDF Author: Mark C. Serreze
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139445383
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 413

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Book Description
The Arctic can be viewed as an integrated system, characterised by intimate couplings between its atmosphere, ocean and land, linked in turn to the larger global system. This comprehensive, up-to-date assessment begins with an outline of early Arctic exploration and the growth of modern research. Using an integrated systems approach, subsequent chapters examine the atmospheric heat budget and circulation, the surface energy budget, the hydrologic cycle and interactions between the ocean, atmosphere and sea ice cover. Reviews of recent directions in numerical modelling and the characteristics of past Arctic climates set the stage for detailed discussion of recent climate variability and trends, and projected future states. Throughout, satellite remote sensing data and results from recent major field programs are used to illustrate key processes. The Arctic Climate System provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of the subject for researchers and advanced students in a wide range of disciplines.

The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate

The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate PDF Author: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781009157971
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 755

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Book Description
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading international body for assessing the science related to climate change. It provides policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of human-induced climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation. This IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate is the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the observed and projected changes to the ocean and cryosphere and their associated impacts and risks, with a focus on resilience, risk management response options, and adaptation measures, considering both their potential and limitations. It brings together knowledge on physical and biogeochemical changes, the interplay with ecosystem changes, and the implications for human communities. It serves policymakers, decision makers, stakeholders, and all interested parties with unbiased, up-to-date, policy-relevant information. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Understanding Present and Past Arctic Environments

Understanding Present and Past Arctic Environments PDF Author: Neloy Khare
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0128230789
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 520

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Book Description
Understanding Present and Past Arctic Environments: An Integrated Approach from Climate Change Perspectives provides a fully comprehensive overview of the past, present and future outlook for this incredibly diverse and important region. Through a series of contributed chapters, the book explores changes to this environment that are attributed to the effects of climate change. The book explores the current effects climate change has had on Arctic environments and ecosystems, our current understanding of the effects climate change is having, the effects climate change is having on the atmospheric and ocean processes in this region. The Arctic region is predicted to experience the earliest and most pronounced global warming response to human-induced climatic change, thus a better understanding is vital. Presents a thorough understanding of the Arctic, it’s past, present and future Provides an integrated assessment of the Arctic climate system, recognizing that a true understanding of its functions lies in appreciating the interactions and linkages among its various components Brings together many of the world's leading Arctic researchers to describe this diverse environment and its ecology

Arctic Matters

Arctic Matters PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309371619
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 37

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Book Description
Viewed in satellite images as a jagged white coat draped over the top of the globe, the high Arctic appears distant and isolated. But even if you don't live there, don't do business there, and will never travel there, you are closer to the Arctic than you think. Arctic Matters: The Global Connection to Changes in the Arctic is a new educational resource produced by the Polar Research Board of the National Research Council (NRC). It draws upon a large collection of peer-reviewed NRC reports and other national and international reports to provide a brief, reader-friendly primer on the complex ways in which the changes currently affecting the Arctic and its diverse people, resources, and environment can, in turn, affect the entire globe. Topics in the booklet include how climate changes currently underway in the Arctic are a driver for global sea-level rise, offer new prospects for natural resource extraction, and have rippling effects through the world's weather, climate, food supply and economy.

Climate Change

Climate Change PDF Author: Chip Fletcher
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118793064
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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Book Description
This book introduces climate change fundamentals and essential concepts that reveal the extent of the damage, the impacts felt around the globe, and the innovation and leadership it will take to bring an end to the status quo. Emphasizing peer-reviewed literature, this text details the impact of climate change on land and sea, the water cycle, human communities, the weather, and humanity’s collective future. Coverage of greenhouse gases, oceanic and atmospheric processes, Pleistocene and Holocene paleoclimate, sea levels, and other fundamental topics provide a deep understanding of key mechanisms, while discussion of extreme weather, economic impacts, and resource scarcity reveals how climate change is already impacting people’s lives—and will continue to do so at an increasing rate for the foreseeable future.