Skip to main content

Summary

Understanding the complex, interacting processes that determine global ocean uptake of atmospheric CO2 requires accurate definition of initial conditions and accurate representation of the processes forcing variation. An approach to defining global, monthly 3-D fields of TCO2 and TALK below the deepest mixed layer was presented in this report. These fields are now available to the scientific community through CDIAC. The accuracy of these interpolated fields is the best available today given the in situ data fields. They accurately reflect the main characteristics of global water mass circulation. This approach offers advantages over spin up of a single profile in defining spatial variation in CO2 system properties because it provides a more accurate carbon field and reduces initialization time. As additional data become available, it will be possible to increase the accuracy of mixed layer depths, TCO2, and TALK fields.

Last modified: 2021-03-17T18:30:28Z