Simulation of the Natural Distribution of Carbon and Nutrients in the Ocean Based on the Global Ocean Carbon Cycle Model MOM4_L40

Abstract

A global ocean carbon cycle circulation model which was developed by the National Climate Center, China Meteorological Administration is presented and the basic performance of this model is analyzed and evaluated in this paper. This model is a global three-dimensional (3D) ocean carbon cycle circulation model, with 40 layers in vertical direction, and biogeochemical processes developed on the basis of the global ocean circulation model MOM4 (Modular Ocean Model version 4) of the US Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), which is abbreviated as MOM4_L40 (Modular Ocean Model Version 4 with 40 Levels). This model has been integrated for over 1000 years under climate field forcing. The results indicate that, when compared with the observations, this model can more effectively simulate the surface and vertical distribution characteristics of the ocean temperature, salinity, total carbon dioxide, total alkalinity, and total phosphate levels. The simulated distribution of the total CO2 in the ocean is basically consistent with observations, of which a low-value zone exists on the surface, beneath which is a high-value zone from 10°S to 60°N. However, the simulations above 2000 m are smaller than observations while simulations below 2000 m are larger than observations. In general, the MOM4_L40 model is found to be a reliable tool for the simulation and research of oceanic carbon cycle processes.