Influence of anthropogenic aerosol deposition on the relationship between oceanic productivity and warming. Issue 24 (19th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Rong; Balkanski, Yves; Bopp, Laurent; Aumont, Olivier; Boucher, Olivier; Ciais, Philippe; Gehlen, Marion; Peñuelas, Josep; Ethé, Christian; Hauglustaine, Didier; Li, Bengang; Liu, Junfeng; Zhou, Feng; Tao, Shu
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 42:Issue 24(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 10, 745
• Page End: 10, 754
• Publication Date: 2015-12-19
• Subjects: ocean productivity -- anthropogenic aerosols -- nutrient limitation -- ocean biogeochemical model; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2015GL066753
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: Satellite data and models suggest that oceanic productivity is reduced in response to less nutrient supply under warming. In contrast, anthropogenic aerosols provide nutrients and exert a fertilizing effect, but its contribution to evolution of oceanic productivity is unknown. We simulate the response of oceanic biogeochemistry to anthropogenic aerosols deposition under varying climate from 1850 to 2010. We find a positive response of observed chlorophyll to deposition of anthropogenic aerosols. Our results suggest that anthropogenic aerosols reduce the sensitivity of oceanic productivity to warming from −15.2 ± 1.8 to −13.3 ± 1.6 Pg C yr −1 °C −1 in global stratified oceans during 1948–2007. The reducing percentage over the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Indian Oceans reaches 40, 24, and 25%, respectively. We hypothesize that inevitable reduction of aerosol emissions in response to higher air quality standards in the future might accelerate the decline of oceanic productivity per unit warming. Key Points: Anthropogenic aerosol deposition alleviates the nutrient limitation in the oceans Response of observed chlorophyll to anthropogenic aerosol deposition is modeled Over 1948–2007, the sensitivity of oceanic productivity to warming is reduced by 12.5%