Seasonal cycles of a 3D marine ecosystem model in the North Indian Ocean: sensitivity to biological process parameters

Abstract

Parameter sensitivity studies are done at C-MMACS using a 3D coupled physical-biological-chemical model of the oceanic carbon cycle. This model is evaluated by using U.S. Joint Global Ocean Flux Studies (U.S. JGOFS) data, satellite data and buoy data for different values of a few of the parameters which influence the regeneration of ammonium and growth of zooplankton and hence the carbon flux across the air-sea interface. Important processes which affect the primary productivity and chlorophyll have been identified. A set of ecosystem parameters which have great potential for studying the marine productivity and carbon dioxide transfer in the Indian Ocean have been isolated in this study.