Download Diapositiva 1

OCEANS
Existing cooperation between France and Argentina concerning
climate issues:
•
ARGAU+GEF PATAGONIA SHN/CIMA - LOCEAN
Aim: Biogeochemical and physical interactions, with emphasis on CO2
fluxes, in the southwestern Atlantic and Southern Oceans, field work
completed 2000-2007, analysis ongoing
•
FREPLATA (CIMA, INIDEP, INA, SHN - IFREMER) and IMFIA/SOHMA (UY)
Observation and modeling of the fine sediment fluxes in the Río de la Plata
(ongoing) Financed by FFEM
•
DRAKE SHN/UBA - LOCEAN
Transport and fluxes of the ACC in the Drake Passage
•
SAMOC SHN/UBA - Université de Bretagne Occidentale
South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
•
Mesoscale variability studies in the Confluence Region CIMA - LOCEAN
recently started cooperation
Motivation
Frame: The western South Atlantic plays a key role in the climate system:
• Determines the contribution of cold vs warm water pathways of the Meridional
Overturning Circulation
• Hosts a unique ecosystem which impacts on the biogeochemical cycles of the
southern hemisphere oceans, the regional and global climate
Observe and understanding the processes which drive climate variability and
change
Even with the large errors that the coupled climate prediction models have
nowadays, these models should be used to study future scenarios of ocean
circulation and its impact on ocean biogeochemistry
It is necessary to observe the changes in the ocean circulation and variability
Sparse atmospheric and ocean observations are a serious limitation;
observations are needed for model validation. EXISTING INITIATIVES (OOI,
PIRATA SWE, DRAKE, etc)
• Impact of the ocean circulation on the atmospheric variability
• Variability of ocean circulation and its impact on:
biogeochemical cycles and productivity
climate variability and change (fisheries, erosion)
Motivation
Frame: The western South Atlantic plays a key role in the climate system:
• Determines the contribution of cold vs warm water pathways of the Meridional
Overturning Circulation
• Hosts a unique ecosystem which impacts on the biogeochemical cycles of the
southern hemisphere oceans, the regional and global climate
Scientific questions:
¿To what extent the main forcings of ocean circulation are changing
and how will they change in the future? e.g. winds, boundary
currents, fresh water and heat fluxes; waves; feedbacks
¿How is the circulation in the South Western Atlantic evolving? E.g.
potential displacement of the confluence; mesoscale activity;
shelf circulation (circulation here is very sensitive to winds and
therefore we can expect changes); circulation in semienclosed
areas
¿Which is the amount of the CO2 uptaken in the Patagonian shelf
that is buried in the sediments? There are indications that a
portion not yet quantified of the CO2 uptaken by the ocean is
buried in the sediments. Quantification!
¿Which are the sources of nutrients and micronutrients which
sustain the exceptional productivity of the Patagonian shelf and
south-western Atlantic and which is their relative importance?
E.g. dust; continental runoff; volcanic reactions; sediments;
anthropic origin nutrients (fertilizers); groundwaters. 
connection to climate change; sensitivity to climate change
¿How are the biogeochemical properties changing?
¿What's the impact of the changes on coastal zones and fisheries?
There is evidence of strong erosion in several coastal regions of
Argentina (e.g. Samborombón Bay) which seems to be
associated to climate variability/change.
Fishes life cycles are affected by climate variability/change
through changes on temperature, nutrients, continental runoff,
etc.
Changes on tides, winds and waves can change the
biodisponibility of contaminants in shallow zones; they can be
eventually exported to the deeper ocean.
Those changes can also affect sedimentation, particularly in
shallow areas, as RDP (dredging needs, Paraná River delta
advance)
Changes on the ocean biodiversity  changes might be negative
for some species but good for others (e.g. jellyfish); changes on
biodiversity can, in turn, change climate  feedbacks
Climate change might induce new diseases in ocean life and/or
make ocean life vectors of new diseases, ¿how will it propagate
to human population?
Euthrofication as a consequence of the increase in the
availability of nutrients in the rivers connections with the ocean
¿Effects on birds?
Recommendations:
Contact with state holders, politicians,
decision makers
Communication is very important; results
must reach society (science translation)
UMI should consider to have people devoted
to that
Also, we denote that the planning of the
mentioned studies implies
1. Observations and modelling
2. The development of expertise at a local
level
3. Formation of human resources
The UMI should take into account these key
components
Challenges
1. Field experiments
2. Improve models and further application of
models
3. The development of expertise at a local level
on the application of modelling tools and the
analysis of global model solutions;
biogeochemical models; earth system
modeling
4. Formation of human resources
The UMI should take into account these key
components