Regional model representation of the southwest South Atlantic Ocean in the context of climate change

• Grant number: 09/07735-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: March 13, 2010
• End date: March 26, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Physical Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Ilana Elazari Klein Coaracy Wainer
• Grantee: Ilana Elazari Klein Coaracy Wainer
• Visiting researcher: Enrique N. Curchitser
• Visiting researcher institution: Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, United States
• Host Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In broad terms, the ocean interacts with the atmosphere s physically, through the exchange of heat, water, gases and momentum. Covering more than 70% of the Earth's surface the ocean stores vast amounts of energy in the form of heat. Moreover, the ocean has a relatively large thermal inertia, or resistance to change. The oceans and atmosphere are tightly linked and together form the most dynamic component of the climate system. Changes in external factors such the sun's energy, the distribution of land vegetation, or the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere can alter the temperature and circulation patterns of theatmosphere-ocean system. (AU)