A role for ocean biota in tropical intraseasonal atmospheric variability

Publication Status is "Submitted" Or "In Press: 
LDEO Publication: 
Publication Type: 
Year of Publication: 
2003
Editor: 
Journal Title: 
Geophysical Research Letters
Journal Date: 
May 3
Place Published: 
Tertiary Title: 
Volume: 
30
Issue: 
9
Pages: 
-
Section / Start page: 
Publisher: 
ISBN Number: 
0094-8276
ISSN Number: 
Edition: 
Short Title: 
Accession Number: 
ISI:000187854900002
LDEO Publication Number: 
Call Number: 
Abstract: 

We propose that temporal variations within the marine plankton system can induce intraseasonal variations in sea surface temperature (SST) through the effect on solar penetration due to chlorophyll and other optically active organic components. Sensitivity studies with a simple model suggest that these small oscillations in SST may stimulate radiative-convective oscillations in the atmosphere which amplify them and thus induce or modulate significant variability in the coupled system. Long term bio-optical measurements in the Western Pacific, where satellite time series are degraded by clouds, would provide a test of our theory and would improve our understanding of the heat balance in this climatically important region.

Notes: 

760VATimes Cited:11Cited References Count:29

DOI: 
Doi 10.1029/2002gl016759