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Intensification of tropical Pacific biological productivity due to volcanic eruptions
Author(s) -
Chikamoto Megumi O.,
Timmermann Axel,
Yoshimori Masakazu,
Lehner Flavio,
Laurian Audine,
AbeOuchi Ayako,
Mouchet Anne,
Joos Fortunat,
Raible Christoph C.,
Cobb Kim M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2015gl067359
Subject(s) - volcano , biogeochemistry , environmental science , radiative forcing , photic zone , climatology , oceanography , ecosystem , productivity , predictability , tropics , climate change , global change , atmospheric sciences , earth science , geology , nutrient , ecology , biology , phytoplankton , physics , macroeconomics , quantum mechanics , seismology , economics
Major volcanic eruptions generate widespread ocean cooling, which reduces upper ocean stratification. This effect has the potential to increase nutrient delivery into the euphotic zone and boost biological productivity. Using externally forced last millennium simulations of three climate/Earth System models (Model for Interdisciplinary Research On Climate (MIROC), Community Earth System Model (CESM), and LOch‐Vecode‐Ecbilt‐CLio‐agIsm Model (LOVECLIM)), we test the hypothesis that large volcanic eruptions intensify nutrient‐driven export production. It is found that strong volcanic radiative forcing enhances the likelihood of eastern Pacific El Niño‐like warming in CESM and LOVECLIM. This leads to an initial reduction of nutrients and export production in the eastern equatorial Pacific. However, this initial response reverses after about 3 years in association with La Niña cooling. The resulting delayed enhancement of biological production resembles the multiyear response in MIROC. The model simulations show that volcanic impacts on tropical Pacific dynamics and biogeochemistry persist for several years, thus providing a new source for potential multiyear ecosystem predictability.