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A Stochastic Analysis of the Impact of Small-Scale Fluctuations on the Tropospheric Temperature Response to CO2 Doubling.
- Source :
- Journal of Climate; May2010, Vol. 23 Issue 9, p2307-2319, 13p, 3 Charts, 6 Graphs
- Publication Year :
- 2010
-
Abstract
- The climate response to increased CO<subscript>2</subscript> concentration is generally studied using climate models that have finite spatial and temporal resolutions. Different parameterizations of the effect of unresolved processes can result in different representations of small-scale fluctuations in the climate model. The representation of small-scale fluctuations can, on the other hand, affect the modeled climate response. In this study the mechanisms by which enhanced small-scale fluctuations alter the climate response to CO<subscript>2</subscript> doubling are investigated. Climate experiments with preindustrial and doubled CO<subscript>2</subscript> concentrations obtained from a comprehensive climate model [ECHAM5/Max Planck Institute Ocean Model (MPI-OM)] are analyzed both with and without enhanced small-scale fluctuations. By applying a stochastic model to the experimental results, two different mechanisms are found. First, the small-scale fluctuations can change the statistical behavior of the global mean temperature as measured by its statistical damping. The statistical damping acts as a restoring force that determines, according to the fluctuation–dissipation theory, the amplitude of the climate response to a change in external forcing (here, CO<subscript>2</subscript> doubling). Second, the small-scale fluctuations can affect processes that occur only in response to the CO<subscript>2</subscript> increase, thereby altering the change of the effective forcing on the global mean temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 08948755
- Volume :
- 23
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Climate
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 52009705
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1175/2009JCLI3043.1