Scientific Computing Seminar

Here, I introduce 3 concepts: (1) certain biochemical processes can strongly interact with geophysical processes in climate system; (2) internal chemical and physical processes in the oceans rather than in the atmosphere are at the center of global warming; (3) chemical energy stored in biochemical processes can significantly affect ocean dynamics and therefore the climate system.

Then, I will discuss the carbon cycle and the nitrogen cycle in seawater. They will be used to explain the observed apparent oxygen utilization.(AOU). This AOU is related to the depletion of dissolved oxygen in the Gulf Stream seawater (shown in ocean climate data) and methane hydrate. Marine micro-organism (bacteria and ice worm) will be introduced to explain the slow oxidation of methane (in bubbles) emanating from dissociating methane hydrate. The biogeochemical release of the associated chemical energy as heat in the ocean can lead to global climate change.

The Ocean Slow-burn hypothesis will be introduced. The mechanism controlling the greenhouse gases concentration and the global climate fluctuation will be presented. It will be used to explain (1) the synchronization of saw-tooth fluctuation pattern of the 400,000-year time series of Vostoks air temperature, atmospheric CH4 and CO2 concentrations, (2) the ocean warming at intermediate depth, and (3) the fast shrinking of sea ice cover in Arctic Ocean during last few decades.