Ocean circulation and climate : observing and modeling the global ocean

Ocean Circulation and Climate: observing and modelling the global ocean presents the views of leading scientists on our knowledge of the global ocean circulation following completion of the observational phase of the World Ocean Circulation Experiment. WOCE's in situ physical and chemical measurements together with satellite altimetry have produced a data set of unprecedented scope and precision. This data set provides the basis for development of ocean and coupled ocean-atmosphere circulation models used to understand ocean and climate variability and projecting climate change. The book guides the reader through the analysis, interpretation, modelling and synthesis of these data. It includes: -a description of the organisation and implementation of WOCE; -a summary of our understanding of the oceans' role in decadal climate variability and change; -a description of new methods for observing the ocean; -new observational and modelling results on the circulation of the ocean and its interaction with the atmosphere and; -insights for the future, building on the results of WOCE. The book will be of value to those interested in the global oceans, in climate variability and change and in the oceanic uptake of anthropogenic carbon, particularly oceanographers, meteorologists and other climate scientists.