Submesoscale Processes in a Changing Environment

Project Information

SPICE

Grant agreement ID: 101032683

DOI

10.3030/101032683

Project closed

EC signature date 8 March 2021

Start date 1 August 2021

End date 31 July 2023

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 203 852,16

EU contribution

€ 203 852,16

Coordinated by

GOETEBORGS UNIVERSITET
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SPICE (Submesoscale Processes in a Changing Environment)

Reporting period: 2021-08-01 to 2023-07-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The SPICE project addresses the complex realm of submesoscale processes in the Southern Ocean, which involve dynamic interactions among energetic eddies, wavy filaments, and intensified vertical motion spanning distances of 10-100 kilometers. These processes have a profound impact on heat and carbon exchange between the ocean and atmosphere, with global implications for carbon and climate dynamics. As the Southern Ocean absorbs 75% of the world's oceanic carbon dioxide, it holds immense importance for addressing climate change. However, gathering observations in this remote and harsh environment remains a challenge, requiring precise spatiotemporal resolution to quantify submesoscale phenomena and their role in air-sea heat and carbon exchange, thereby influencing global carbon and climate systems.

The Southern Ocean plays a pivotal role in society by mitigating climate change through absorbing a significant amount of carbon dioxide and heat from the atmosphere, thus curbing the greenhouse effect and global warming. Understanding the impact of submesoscale processes on the exchange of carbon and heat between the ocean and atmosphere is critical for accurately quantifying the Southern Ocean's contribution to climate change mitigation. This knowledge is vital for the development of reliable climate models, which inform policymakers and international organizations in their efforts to combat climate change. By gaining an understanding of the Southern Ocean's role in carbon uptake, policymakers can make informed decisions regarding emissions reduction and carbon sequestration initiatives, thereby influencing climate change mitigation strategies.

Overall Objectives: Field Experiments and Data Collection: This phase involves using autonomous platform to collect observational data on submesoscale processes, particularly their influence on heat and carbon exchange within the Southern Ocean. The aim is to build a comprehensive and high-resolution dataset for subsequent analysis.

Data Analysis and Research Findings: The gathered data undergoes investigation for the impact of submesoscale processes on the exchange of heat and carbon between the ocean and the atmosphere. The objective is to deepen our understanding of these intricate processes and their implications for the climate system.

Unique Modeling and Observational Synergy: SPICE combines ocean modeling and observational data synergistically. This approach integrates observational knowledge into climate models, improving their forecasting accuracy. It also helps refine the representation of submesoscale processes in these models, connecting observational data with climate modeling. Our ultimate aim is to boost our ability to predict and respond to climate change effectively.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Field Data Collection and Technological Application: A significant achievement involved acquiring crucial observations related to air-sea carbon and heat flux, along with upper ocean variability. This required deploying advanced autonomous vehicles in the Southern Ocean. These assets collected multi-month, high-resolution datasets, providing the first annual glider measurements in this challenging environment. Additionally, radiometers and direct eddy covariance sensors were integrated onto research vessels to investigate the impact of small-scale ocean dynamics on the Southern Ocean's net heat budget, resulting in climate-critical data collection that enriched SPICE's insights and paved the way for future missions.

Analysis and Research: Direct measurements enabled the calculation of air-sea heat and carbon fluxes, crucial for validating climate models by comparing them with indirect flux calculation methods. Glider observations showed the significance of submesoscale processes in heat and property exchange between the ocean surface and its interior. These findings extended across the Southern Ocean, significantly contributing to a comprehensive review paper on the Southern Ocean mixed layer and boundary fluxes.

Upscaling Knowledge to Address Climate Challenges; By combining high-resolution models with glider observations, SPICE gained enhanced insights into contemporary submesoscale observations. This knowledge is being scaled up to encompass the entire Southern Ocean to determine the role of submesoscale processes in surface ocean warming.

Exploitation of Results: Collaborative partnerships with fellow researchers, both within and beyond the project, facilitated knowledge exchange and cooperative research. This collaborative effort aimed to ensure that the wealth of data and insights generated by SPICE would benefit the broader scientific community. Active engagement with these research partners sought to amplify the impact of SPICE's discoveries on climate science and its applications.

Dissemination of Results: Research findings on topics like air-sea fluxes, submesoscale dynamics, and Southern Ocean processes were published in peer-reviewed journals. The project also played a key role in mentoring master's students and PhD candidates. Contributions to the Southern Ocean Chapter of the State of the Climate Report highlighted the importance of air-sea heat fluxes in the context of Southern Ocean warming. Active participation in international conferences and workshops provided a valuable platform for presenting findings to the scientific community. Ultimately, SPICE's creation of valuable datasets and observational tools is poised to significantly impact climate science, influencing climate models, policy formulation, and our understanding of Southern Ocean climate processes.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Progress Beyond the State of the Art: The SPICE project has excelled in climate science, acquiring high-resolution multi-platform datasets in the challenging Southern Ocean, shedding light on air-sea fluxes, submesoscale dynamics, and the Southern Ocean's role in global climate systems. Integration of radiometers on research vessels and autonomous platforms enhanced our ability to quantify air-sea heat and carbon fluxes.

Furthermore, SPICE advanced our understanding of submesoscale processes, uncovering their pivotal role in surface-to-interior heat and property exchange in the Southern Ocean, significantly improving our comprehension of its influence on climate systems. The project also developed and refined profiling glider sampling strategies, effectively capturing submesoscale activity, and enhancing observational techniques.

Expected Results: Anticipated outcomes include comprehensive research papers addressing air-sea fluxes, submesoscale dynamics, and the Southern Ocean's climate role. Ongoing studies on glider sampling strategies and calm wind periods are expected to yield valuable insights, contributing to our understanding of contemporary and future climate challenges, particularly regarding ocean heat and carbon ventilation.

Potential Impacts: The SPICE project's potential impacts encompass scientific, societal, and economic dimensions. Scientifically, it advances knowledge of the Southern Ocean's role in global climate systems, improving climate modeling and informing climate policy. Societally, it raises awareness of the Southern Ocean's climate importance, guiding climate-related decision-making. Economically, improved climate models benefit sectors like agriculture, energy, and disaster preparedness. Collaboration fosters interdisciplinary research, potentially leading to projects with broader economic implications.

Deploying a Seaglider in the Southern Ocean