Interannual variability of oxygen and macro-nutrients in the Labrador Sea

最近的观测和气候模式预估表明，由于溶解度降低和与气候变暖相关的分层增加，全球氧库存量可能正在下降。深海中有机物的分解消耗了溶解氧，而溶解氧必须由来自极地的富氧水的循环来补充。如果没有高纬度地区强有力的氧气供应，全球海洋将失去氧气。在这项研究中，佐治亚理工学院的研究人员将使用一个层次模型来模拟拉布拉多海50年来的氧气和营养循环，拉布拉多海是北大西洋深水形成的地区之一。拉布拉多海也是一个极端季节性和强烈生物生产力的地区，因此那里的氧循环可能反映了多种物理和生物过程。这项研究的结果将有助于更好地了解拉布拉多海氧气和营养物质的年际变化，并最终有助于了解气候变化如何影响这些循环。更广泛的影响：这个项目的更广泛的影响包括学生培训、国际合作和对K-12学生的推广。

Recent observations and climate model projections indicate that the global oxygen inventory may be declining due to the lower solubility and the increasing stratification associated with a warming climate. Decomposition of organic matter in the deep sea consumes dissolved oxygen, which must be replenished by the circulation of oxygen-rich waters from the polar regions. Without vigorous oxygen supply from the high latitudes, the global oceans will lose oxygen. In this study, researchers at Georgia Tech will use a hierarchy of models to simulate oxygen and nutrient cycling in the Labrador Sea, one of the regions of deep water formation in the North Atlantic, over a fifty year period. The Labrador Sea is also a region of extreme seasonality and intense biological productivity, thus oxygen cycling there likely reflects multiple physical and biological processes. Results from this study will promote a better understanding of the interannual variability of oxygen and nutrients in the Labrador Sea, and ultimately contribute to knowledge on how a changing climate impacts these cycles.Broader Impacts:The broader impacts of this project include student training, international collaboration and outreach to K-12 students.