• \
    Start Submission Become a Reviewer

    Reading: Sensitivity of a coupled climate-carbon cycle model to large volcanic eruptions during the l...

    Download

     A- A+
    Alt. Display

    Original Research Papers

    Sensitivity of a coupled climate-carbon cycle model to large volcanic eruptions during the last millennium

    Authors:

    Victor Brovkin ,

    Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Bundesstr. 53, 20146 Hamburg, DE
    X close

    Stephan J. Lorenz,

    Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Bundesstr. 53, 20146 Hamburg, DE
    X close

    Johann Jungclaus,

    Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Bundesstr. 53, 20146 Hamburg, DE
    X close

    Thomas Raddatz,

    Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Bundesstr. 53, 20146 Hamburg, DE
    X close

    Claudia Timmreck,

    Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Bundesstr. 53, 20146 Hamburg, DE
    X close

    Christian H. Reick,

    Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Bundesstr. 53, 20146 Hamburg, DE
    X close

    Joachim Segschneider,

    Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Bundesstr. 53, 20146 Hamburg, DE
    X close

    Katharina Six

    Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Bundesstr. 53, 20146 Hamburg, DE
    X close

    Abstract

    The sensitivity of the climate–biogeochemistry system to volcanic eruptions is investigated using the comprehensive Earth System Model developed at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology. The model includes an interactive carbon cycle with modules for terrestrial biosphere as well as ocean biogeochemistry. The volcanic forcing is based on a recent reconstruction for the last 1200 yr. An ensemble of five simulations is performed and the averaged response of the system is analysed in particular for the largest eruption of the last millennium in the year 1258. After this eruption, the global annual mean temperature drops by 1 K and recovers slowly during 10 yr. Atmospheric CO2 concentration declines during 4 yr after the eruption by ca. 2 ppmv to its minimum value and then starts to increase towards the pre-eruption level. This CO2 decrease is explained mainly by reduced heterotrophic respiration on land in response to the surface cooling, which leads to increased carbon storage in soils, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. The ocean acts as a weak carbon sink, which is primarily due to temperature-induced solubility. This sink saturates 2 yr after the eruption, earlier than the land uptake.

    How to Cite: Brovkin, V., Lorenz, S.J., Jungclaus, J., Raddatz, T., Timmreck, C., Reick, C.H., Segschneider, J. and Six, K., 2010. Sensitivity of a coupled climate-carbon cycle model to large volcanic eruptions during the last millennium. Tellus B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology, 62(5), pp.674–681. DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0889.2010.00471.x
      Published on 01 Jan 2010
    Peer Reviewed
     CC BY 4.0
     Accepted on 10 Jun 2010            Submitted on 27 Nov 2009

    References

    1. Angert , A. , Biraud , S. , Bonfils , C. , Buermann , W. and Fung , I . 2004 . CO2 seasonality indicates origins of post-Pinatubo sink . Geophys. Res. Lett . 31 , L11103 , doi: https://doi.org/10.11110.11029/12004g1019760 .  

    2. Archer , D. , Martin , P. , Buffett , B. , Brovkin , V. , Rahmstorf , S. and co-authors . 2004 . The importance of ocean temperature to global bio-geochemistry. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett . 222 , 333 - 348 .  

    3. Baker , D. F. , Law , R. M. , Gurney , K. R. , Rayner , P. , Peylin , P. and co-authors . 2006 . TransCom 3 inversion intercomparison: impact of transport model errors on the interannual variability of regional CO2 fluxes, 1988 - 2003 . Global Biogeochem Cycles 20 , GB1002 , doi: https://doi.org/10.1010.1029/2004gb002439 .  

    4. Barberi , F. , Coltelli , M. , Frullani , A. , Rosi , M. and Almeida , E . 1995 . Chronology and dispersal characteristics of recently (last 5000 years) erupted tephra of Cotopaxi (Ecuador): implications for long-term eruptive forecasting . J. Volcanol. Geoth. Res . 69 , 217 – 239 .  

    5. Bousquet , P. , Peylin , P. , Ciais , R , Le Quere , C. , Friedlingstein , P. and co-authors . 2000 . Regional changes in carbon dioxide fluxes of land and oceans since 1980. Science 290 , 1342 - 1346 .  

    6. Broecker , W. S. and Peng , T. H . 1982 . Tracers in the Sea . LDGO, Palisades , NY .  

    7. Brovlcin , V. , Petoulchov , V , Claussen , M. , Bauer , E. , Archer , D. and co-authors . 2009 . Geoengineering climate by stratospheric sulfur in-jections: Earth system vulnerability to technological failure. Clim Change 92 , 243 - 259 .  

    8. Biintgen , U. , Frank , D. C. , Nievergelt , D. and Esper , J . 2006 . Summer temperature variations in the European Alps, AD 755-2004 . J. Clim . 19 , 5606 – 5623 .  

    9. Clausen , H. B. , Hammer , C. U. , Hvidberg , C. S. , Dahl-Jensen , D. , Steffensen , J. P. and co-authors . 1997 . A comparison of the vol-canic records over the past 4000 years from the Greenland Ice Core Project and Dye 3 Greenland Ice Cores. J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans 102 , 26707 - 26723 .  

    10. Crowley , T. J. , Zielinski , G. , Vinther , B. , Udisti , R. , Kreutz , K. and co-authors . 2008 . Volcanism and the Little Ice Age. PAGES News 16 , 22 - 23 .  

    11. Crutzen , P. J. 2006. Albedo enhancement by stratospheric sulfur injec-tions: a contribution to resolve a policy dilemma? Clim. Change 77 , 211 - 219 .  

    12. Denman , K. L. , Brasseur , G. , Chidthaisong , A. , Ciais , R , Cox , P. M. and co-authors . 2007 . Couplings between changes in the climate sys-tem and biogeochemistry. In: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis (eds Solomon, S. , co-editors ). Cambridge University Press , Cambridge .  

    13. Duggen , S. , Croot , P. , Schacht , U. and Hoffmann , L . 2007 . Subduc-tion zone volcanic ash can fertilize the surface ocean and stim-ulate phytoplankton growth: evidence from biogeochemical ex-periments and satellite data . Geophys. Res. Lett . 34 , L01612 , doi: https://doi.org/10.01610.01029/02006g1027522 .  

    14. Etheridge , D. M. , Steele , L. P. , Langenfelds , R. L. , Francey , R. J. , Barnola , J. M. and co-authors . 1996 . Natural and anthropogenic changes in atmospheric CO2 over the last 1000 years from air in Antarctic ice and firn. J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos . 101 , 4115 - 4128 .  

    15. Friedlingstein , P. , Cox , P. , Betts , R. , Bopp , L. , Von Bloh , W. and co-authors . 2006 . Climate-carbon cycle feedback analysis: results from the (CMIP)-M-4 model intercomparison. J. Clim . 19 , 3337 - 3353 .  

    16. Gregory , J. M. , Jones , C. D. , Cadule , P. and Friedlingstein , P. 2009. Quantifying carbon cycle feedbacks. J. Clim . 22 , 5232 - 5250 .  

    17. Hegerl , G. C. and Solomon , S. 2009. Risks of Climate Engineering. Science 325 , 955 - 956 .  

    18. House , J. I. , Brovlcin , V. , Betts , R. , Constanza , R. , Silva Dias , M. A. and co-authors . 2006 . Climate and air quality. In: Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Current State and Trends . Volume I: Findings of the Condition and Trends Working Group of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Island Press , Washington, Covelo, London , 357 - 390 .  

    19. Jones , C. D. and Cox , P. M. 2001. Modeling the volcanic signal in the atmospheric CO2 record. Global Biogeochem Cycles 15 , 453 - 465 .  

    20. Jungclaus , J. H. , Keenlyside , N. , Botzet , M. , Haak , H. , Luo , J. J. and co-authors . 2006 . Ocean circulation and tropical variability in the coupled model ECHAM5/MPI-OM. J. Clim . 19 , 3952 - 3972 .  

    21. Jungclaus , J. H. , Lorenz , S. J. , Timmreck , C. , Reick , C. H. , Brovkin , V. and co-authors . 2010 . Climate and carbon-cycle variability over the last millennium. Climate Past Discuss . 6 , 1009 - 1044 , doi: https://doi.org/10.1010.5194/cpd-1006-1009-2010 .  

    22. Kurbatov , A. V. , Zielinski , G. A. , Dunbar , N. W. , Mayewski , P. A. , Meyerson , E. A. and co-authors . 2006 . A 12000 year record of explo-sive volcanism in the Siple Dome Ice Core, West Antarctica. J. Geo-phys. Res.-Atmos . 111 , D12307 , doi: https://doi.org/10.12310.11029/12005jd006072 .  

    23. Lucht , W. , Prentice , I. C. , Myneni , R. B. , Sitch , S. , Friedlingstein, P. and co-authors . 2002 . Climatic control of the high-latitude veg-etation greening trend and Pinatubo effect . Science 296 , 1687– 1689 .  

    24. Maier-Reimer , E. , Kriest , I. , Segschneider , J. and Wetzel , P . 2005 . The HAMburg Ocean Carbon Cycle Model HAMOCC5. 1—Technical Description Release 1.1. Reports on Earth System Science 14.  

    25. Mann , M. E. , Zhang , Z. H. , Hughes , M. K. , Bradley , R. S. , Miller , S. K. and co-authors . 2008 . Proxy-based reconstructions of hemispheric and global surface temperature variations over the past two millennia. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A . 105 , 13252 - 13257 .  

    26. Marsland , S. J. , Hank , H. , Jungclaus , J. H. , Latif , M. and Roske , F . 2003 . The Max-Planck-Institute global ocean/sea ice model with orthogonal curvilinear coordinates . Ocean Modelling 5 , 91 – 127 .  

    27. Mercado , L. M. , Bellouin , N. , Sitch , S. , Boucher , O. , Huntingford , C. and co-authors . 2009 . Impact of changes in diffuse radiation on the global land carbon sink. Nature 458 , 1014 - U1087 .  

    28. Meure , C. M. , Etheridge , D. , Trudinger , C. , Steele , R , Langenfelds , R. and co-authors . 2006 . Law Dome CO2, CH4 and N20 ice core records extended to 2000 years BP. Geophys. Res. Lett . 33 , L14810 , doi: https://doi.org/10.14810.11029/12006g1026152 .  

    29. Oppenheimer , C . 2003 . Ice core and palaeoclimatic evidence for the timing and nature of the great mid-13th century volcanic eruption . Int. J. Clim . 23 , 417 – 426 .  

    30. Pinto , J. P. , Turco , R. P. and Toon, O. B. 1989. Self-limiting physical and chemical effects in volcanic-eruption clouds. J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos . 94 , 11165 - 11174 .  

    31. Pongratz , J. , Reick , C. , Raddatz , T. and Claussen , M . 2008 . A reconstruction of global agricultural areas and land cover for the last millennium. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 22 , GB3018 , doi: https://doi.org/10.3010.1029/2007gb003153 .  

    32. Raddatz , T. J. , Reick , C. H. , Knorr , W. , Kattge , J. , Roeckner , E. and co-authors . 2007 . Will the tropical land biosphere dominate the climate-carbon cycle feedback during the twenty-first century? Clim. Dyn . 29 , 565 - 574 .  

    33. Rasch , P. J. , Crutzen , P. J. and Coleman , D. B . 2008 . Explor-ing the geoengineering of climate using stratospheric sulfate aerosols: the role of particle size . Geophys. Res. Lett . 35 , L02809 , doi: https://doi.org/10.02810.01029/02007g1032179 .  

    34. Robock , A . 2000 . Volcanic eruptions and climate . Rev. Geophys . 38 , 191 – 219 .  

    35. Roecicner , E. , Bäuml , G. , Bonaventura , L. , Brokopf , R. , Esch , M. and co-authors . 2003 . The atmospheric general circulation model ECHAM5. Part I: model description. Report 349. Max Planck Institute for Me-teorology, 127.  

    36. Santer , B. D. , Wigley , T. M. L. , Doutriaux , C. , Boyle , J. S. , Hansen , J. E. and co-authors . 2001 . Accounting for the effects of volcanoes and ENSO in comparisons of modeled and observed temperature trends. J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos . 106 , 28033 - 28059 .  

    37. Sarmiento , J. L . 1993 . Carbon cycle—atmospheric CO2 stalled . Nature 365 , 697 – 698 .  

    38. Sato , M. , Hansen , J. E. , McCormick , M. P. and Pollack, J. B. 1993. Stratospheric aerosol optical depths, 1850 - 1990 . J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos . 98 , 22987 - 22994 .  

    39. Schaafler , S. M. and Daniel , J. S . 1994 . On the effects of stratospheric circulation changes on trace gas trends . J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos . 99 , 25747 – 25754 .  

    40. Schneider , D. P. , Ammann , C. M. , Otto-Bliesner , B. L. and Kaufman , D. S . 2009 . Climate response to large, high-latitude and low-latitude volcanic eruptions in the Community Climate System Model . J. Geo-phys. Res.-Atmos . 114 , D15101 , doi: https://doi.org/10.15110.11029/12008jd011222.  

    41. Stenchilcov , G. , Hamilton , K. , Stouffer , R. J. , Robock , A. , Ramaswamy , V. and co-authors . 2006 . Arctic Oscillation response to volcanic erup-tions in the IPCC AR4 climate models. J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos. 111 , D07107 , doi: https://doi.org/10.07110.01029/02005jd006286 .  

    42. Stothers , R. B . 2000 . Climatic and demographic consequences of the massive volcanic eruption of 1258. Clim Change 45 , 361 - 374 .  

    43. Taylor , K. C. , Alley , R. B. , Lamorey , G. W. and Mayewski , P. 1997. Electrical measurements on the Greenland Ice Sheet Project 2 core . J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans 102 , 26511 – 26517 .  

    44. Thompson , D. W J. , Wallace , J. M. , Jones , P. D. and Kennedy , J. J. 2009. Identifying signatures of natural climate variability in time series of global-mean surface temperature: methodology and Insights. J. Clim . 22 , 6120 - 6141 .  

    45. Timmreck , C. , Lorenz , S. J. , Crowley , T. J. , Kinne , S. , Raddatz , T. J. and co-authors . 2009 . Limited temperature response to very large volcanic eruptions . Geophys. Res. Lett . 36 , L2 1708 .  

    46. Traufetter , F. , Oerter , H. , Fischer , H. , Weller , R. and Miller , H. 2004. Spatio-temporal variability in volcanic sulphate deposition over the past 2 kyr in snow pits and firn cores from Amundsenisen, Antarctica. J. Glaciol . 50 , 137 - 146 .  

    47. Trenberth , K. E. and Dai , A . 2007 . Effects of Mount Pinatubo volcanic eruption on the hydrological cycle as an analog of geoengineering . Geophys. Res. Lett . 34 , L15702 , doi: https://doi.org/10.15710.11029/12007g1030524.  

    48. Watson, A. J. 1997. Volcanic iron, CO2, ocean productivity and climate. Nature 385 , 587 - 588 .  

    49. Wetzel , P. , Winguth , A. and Maier-Reimer , E. 2005. Sea-to-air CO2 flux from 1948 to 2003: a model study. Global Biogeochem Cycles 19 , GB2005 , doi: https://doi.org/10.2010.1029/2004gb002339 .  

    50. Wigley , T. M. L . 2006 . A combined mitigation/geoengineering approach to climate stabilization . Science 314 , 452 – 454 .  

    51. Winguth , A. M. E. , Heimann , M. , Kurz , K D. , Maier-Reimer , E. , Milcolajewicz , U. and co-authors . 1994 . El-Nino-southern oscillation related fluctuations of the marine carbon-cycle. Global Biogeochem Cycles 8 , 39 - 63 .  

    52. WMO 2007 . Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2006. Global Ozone Res. and Monit. Proj. Rep.50.World Meteorological Organi-sation.  

    53. Zielinski , G. A . 1998 . Use of paleo-records in determining variability within the volcanism-climate system . Quater. Sci. Rev . 19 , 417 – 438 .  

    Jump to Discussions Related content
    comments powered by Disqus