ISSN: 2157-7617

Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
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  • Research Article   
  • J Earth Sci Clim Change 2014, Vol 5(8): 220
  • DOI: 10.4172/2157-7617.1000220

Issues Related to the Use of One-dimensional Ocean-diffusion Models for Determining Climate Sensitivity

John P Abraham1*, Sameer Kumar1, Barry R Bickmore2 and John T Fasullo3
1University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105-1079, USA
2Department of Geological Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
3National Center for Atmospheric Research, , Boulder, CO 80307, USA
*Corresponding Author : John P Abraham, University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105-1079, USA, Tel: +1 651-962-576, Email: jpabraham@stthomas.edu

Received Date: Jul 31, 2014 / Accepted Date: Sep 15, 2014 / Published Date: Sep 25, 2014

Abstract

While simple models of the Earth’s ocean can provide useful information about the sensitivity of the climate to increasing greenhouse gases, it is important to ensure that the models are based on realistic physical processes and are evaluated with an accurate numerical methodology. In this regard, a number of computational issues are identified and addressed to guide the development of simplified models. To illustrate these issues, we examine a previously published one-dimensional diffusion model. Treatment of the boundary conditions, advection, ocean depth, and thermal diffusivity are addressed. Questionable omission of 30% of the Earth’s surface and the application of a very local phenomenon as a global process is also discussed. It is shown that incorrect treatment of these issues can give non-physical results and lead to mistaken conclusions about the sensitivity of the Earth to rising greenhouse gas concentrations.

Keywords: Climate change; Global warming; Ocean heating; Diffusion model; Climate sensitivity

Citation: Abraham JP, Kumar S, Bickmore BR, Fasullo JT (2014) Issues Related to the Use of One-dimensional Ocean-diffusion Models for Determining Climate Sensitivity. J Earth Sci Clim Change 5: 220. Doi: 10.4172/2157-7617.1000220

Copyright: ©2014 Abraham JP, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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