Open AccessResearch Spotlight: Southern Hemisphere Westerlies influence atmospheric carbon dioxide
Author(s) -
Tretkoff Ernie
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/eo091i050p00500-02
Subject(s) - westerlies , southern hemisphere , northern hemisphere , carbon dioxide in earth's atmosphere , climatology , carbon dioxide , atmospheric sciences , atmospheric circulation , oceanography , atmosphere (unit) , environmental science , geology , global wind patterns , climate change , meteorology , geography , chemistry , organic chemistry
The Southern Hemisphere Westerlies, the prevailing winds in the Southern Hemisphere, can strongly influence ocean circulation. D'Orgeville et al. used a climate model to study how changes in the Southern Hemisphere Westerlies affect atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) through their influence on ocean carbon storage. The scientists confirm earlier assumptions that an increase in the wind amplitude would have the effect of accelerating the deep overturning circulation, decreasing ocean carbon storage, and releasing CO 2 into the atmosphere.