Measurements of atmospheric O2/N2
ratios and CO2 concentrations can be combined to form the tracer
Atmospheric Potential Oxygen (APO), reflecting primarily ocean biogeochemistry
and atmospheric circulation. Building on the work of Stephens et al. [1998], we present a new set of APO observations including shipboard collections from the
equatorial Pacific. Our data show a
smaller interhemispheric gradient than observed in past studies and a
substantial APO maximum around the
equator. Following a modeling approach
developed by Gruber et al. [2001], we
compare these observations with APO fields
generated by a set of oceanic and atmospheric models. Overall, our model results agree well with
observations, but small differences suggest that modeled north-south transport
may be too vigorous, air-sea fluxes may be too coarsely resolved in some
regions, and seasonal trapping of surface fluxes may be excessive in some model
locations.
Author: M. O. Battle, S. Mikaloff Fletcher, M. L. Bender, et al (mbattle at bowdoin dot edu)
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