In order to analyze the influence of small-scale hydrodynamic processes on the marine biogeochemistry, a 5-year-simulation was carried out with the global ocean model MPIOM TP6M coupled to the biogeochemistry model HAMOCC. In this project, near-surface biological production and ventilation at intermediate water depths, where most of the organic material is degraded, are of particular interest. 

 

This visualization shows the seasonal variation of surface chlorophyll, an indicator of phytoplankton, for a 3-year simulation period. Besides seasonal spring blooms in mid- and higher latitudes, and continuous biological activity in the equatorial upwelling zones, an increased plankton concentration in eddy structures can be observed. Cyclonic eddies induce a transport of nutrients into the euphotic layer, thus stimulating plant growth.   

Simulation: Tatiana Ilyina & Katharina Six, MPI for Meteorology

Literature: Ilyina, T., K. D. Six, J: Segschneider, E. Maier-Reimer, H. Li, and I. Nunez-Riboni (2013), Global ocean biogeochemistry model HAMOCC: Model architecture and performance as component of the MPI-Earth system model in different CMIP5 experimental realizations, J.Adv. Model. Earth Syst., 5, doi:10.1029/2012MS000178