Award Abstract # 2342530
Quantifying and comparing internal variability, shift, and emergence of trends in Arctic Ocean properties and transports in CMIP6 models

NSF Org: OCE
Division Of Ocean Sciences
Recipient: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM
Initial Amendment Date: June 28, 2024
Latest Amendment Date: June 28, 2024
Award Number: 2342530
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Sean Kennan
skennan@nsf.gov
 (703)292-7575
OCE
 Division Of Ocean Sciences
GEO
 Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date: July 1, 2024
End Date: June 30, 2027 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $445,721.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $445,721.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2024 = $445,721.00
History of Investigator:
  • Hannah Zanowski (Principal Investigator)
    zanowski@wisc.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: University of Wisconsin-Madison
21 N PARK ST STE 6301
MADISON
WI  US  53715-1218
(608)262-3822
Sponsor Congressional District: 02
Primary Place of Performance: University of Wisconsin-Madison
21 N PARK ST STE 6301
MADISON
WI  US  53715-1218
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
02
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): LCLSJAGTNZQ7
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY,
ANS-Arctic Natural Sciences
Primary Program Source: 01002425DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
0100CYXXDB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):
Program Element Code(s): 161000, 528000
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.050, 47.078

ABSTRACT

Although there have been improvements in modeling Arctic processes, individual computer models still disagree on projected changes in the Arctic Ocean, where trends in temperature, salinity, stratification, and volume transports are highly model dependent. Furthermore, it has been shown that the variability in the interior layers (internal variability) of the Arctic plays a central role in its processes. However, to date, there is no comprehensive comparison of this variability in the Arctic Ocean for the most recent Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP). This project will examine Arctic Ocean variability in CMIP6 models. The results will serve as a baseline for future studies of Arctic Ocean internal variability. Key results could also contribute to determining when and where future observational campaigns will be most beneficial for detecting and monitoring Arctic Ocean change.

The proposed work aims to better understand present and future Arctic Ocean internal variability by comparing CMIP6 models with multiple ensemble members. The project will answer the following questions: How does internal variability in Arctic-wide upper ocean temperature, salinity, and stratification, as well as volume transports through the Arctic gateways compare across CMIP6 models? Do trends in these same variables shift and emerge during the 21st century in CMIP6 models, and if so, do the models agree on the timing? Are the timing of shift and emergence dependent on the future forcing scenario? A combination of observations, models, and an ocean state estimate (ECCO) will be used. Major outcomes will include an improved understanding of Arctic Ocean internal variability, the first assessment of this variability across the most recent suite of state-of-the-art climate models participating in CMIP6, and demonstration of the utility of the synthetic ensemble technique for Arctic Ocean variables in models, observations, and ECCO.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.

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