Éditeur(s) : Elsevier Sci Ltd
Résumé : This study analyses the impact on the oceanic mean state of the evolution of the oceanic component (NEMO) of the climate model developed at Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL-CM), from the version IPSL-CM4, used for third phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3), to IPSL-CM5A, used for CMIP5. Several modifications have been implemented between these two versions, in particular an interactive coupling with a biogeochemical module, a 3-band model for the penetration of the solar radiation, partial steps at the bottom of the ocean and a set of physical parameterisations to improve the representation of the impact of turbulent and tidal mixing. A set of forced and coupled experiments is used to single out the effect of each of these modifications and more generally the evolution of the oceanic component on the IPSL coupled models family. Major improvements are located in the Southern Ocean, where physical parameterisations such as partial steps and tidal mixing reinforce the barotropic transport of water mass, in particular in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current) and ensure a better representation of Antarctic bottom water masses. However, our analysis highlights that modifications, which substantially improve ocean dynamics in forced configuration, can yield or amplify biases in coupled configuration. In particular, the activation of radiative biophysical coupling between biogeochemical cycle and ocean dynamics results in a cooling of the ocean mean state. This illustrates the difficulty to improve and tune coupled climate models, given the large number of degrees of freedom and the potential compensating effects masking some biases.
Ocean Modelling (1463-5003) (Elsevier Sci Ltd), 2013-12 , Vol. 72 , P. 167-184

Droits : 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00170/28102/26612.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.ocemod.2013.09.001
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00170/28102/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : A coupled three-dimensional physical-biogeochemical model was developed in order to simulate the ecological functioning of the Rio de la Plata estuary and plume. The biogeochemical model reproduces the nitrogen cycle between five compartments: dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phytoplankton, zooplankton, detritus and dissolved organic nitrogen. The coupling is tested in seasonal climatological configurations and for the particular year 1999. The circulation is forced with Parana and Uruguay rivers discharges, NCEP wind and tide. The biogeochemical model includes loads of inorganic and organic nitrogen from both rivers. The model reproduces the correct tidal amplitudes in the estuary, as well as the most outstanding features of the observed horizontal and vertical structures of the salinity plume. Simulated surface chlorophyll a concentrations exhibit maximum values all year long seaward of the turbidity front, between the 0.5 and 15 isohalines, in agreement with SeaWiFS images of the area. The model simulates well the low primary production in the light-limited highly turbid tidal river (20 gC/m(2)/yr), the high production area in the frontal zone where it can reach 500 gC/m(2)/yr, and the nutrient-limited production in the outer estuary and inner shelf (300 gC/m(2)/yr), with realistic values in each case. According to the 1999 model simulation, the tidal river is the location of organic nitrogen remineralization with a consequent increase of the inorganic pool. At the entrance of the frontal zone, inorganic nitrogen represents about 75% of the whole nitrogen pool, it is reduced to 50% at its sea end-member. The outer estuary has the same sink role for inorganic nitrogen, suggesting that organic nitrogen is the major form exported to the shelf.
Continental Shelf Research (0278-4343) (Elsevier), 2005-03 , Vol. 25 , N. 5-6 , P. 629-653

Droits : 2004 Elsevier Ltd.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2005/publication-334.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.csr.2004.10.003
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/334/

Éditeur(s) : Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse III
Résumé : The marine phytoplankton in the ocean represents only less than 1% of global biomass. Phytoplankton performs half of all photosynthesis. This autotrophic biomass in ocean is then an essential element in the climate regulation through processes as carbon dioxide absorption during the photosynthesis. Therefore, we need to estimate precisely this biomass as well as the processes which affect it. Using remotely sensed data (altimetry and ocean colour) and a coupled physical/biogeochemical model (MERCATOR-OPA/NPZDDON), Rossby waves and their influence on phytoplankton biomass are specifically studied in the North Atlantic Ocean. Their features and their influences on surface chlorophyll concentrations were analysed. Through the different mechanisms identified, we estimated that these waves can induce local increases from 60% to 150% of the estimated primary production.
Même si l'océan ne représente que moins de 1% de la biomasse liée aux plantes sur la terre, il est responsable de près de la moitié de la photosynthèse nette de la biosphère. Cette biomasse est par conséquent un élément essentiel dans la régulation du climat à travers par exemple le cycle océanique du carbone. Il est donc nécessaire d'estimer correctement cette biomasse ainsi que les processus qui l'affectent. A l'aide de données satellites altimétriques et couleur de l'eau et d'un modèle couplé physique/biogéochimie (MERCATOR-OPA / NPZDDON), les ondes de Rossby et leur influence sur cette biomasse sont spécifiquement étudiées dans l'océan Atlantique Nord. Leurs propriétés et leur influence sur les concentrations en chlorophylle de surface sont analysées. Au travers des mécanismes mis en jeu identifiés, nous estimons que ces ondes peuvent entraîner une augmentation locale comprise entre 60% et 150% de la production primaire estimée.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2005/these-2454.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/2454/