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A review of global ocean temperature observations: Implications for ocean heat content estimates and climate change

TitoloA review of global ocean temperature observations: Implications for ocean heat content estimates and climate change
Tipo di pubblicazioneArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Anno di Pubblicazione2013
AutoriAbraham, J.P., Baringer M., Bindoff N.L., Boyer T., Cheng L.J., Church J.A., Conroy J.L., Domingues C.M., Fasullo J.T., Gilson J., Goni G., Good S.A., Gorman J.M., Gouretski V., Ishii M., Johnson G.C., Kizu S., Lyman J.M., Macdonald A.M., Minkowycz W.J., Moffitt S.E., Palmer M.D., Piola A.R., Reseghetti Franco, Schuckmann K., Trenberth K.E., Velicogna I., and Willis J.K.
RivistaReviews of Geophysics
Volume51
Paginazione450-483
ISSN87551209
Parole chiaveaccuracy assessment, Analysis techniques, Anthropogenic warming, Argo, Argo float, Climate change, Conductivity temperature depths, Digital storage, Energy balance, Enthalpy, Expendable bathythermographs, global ocean, Global warming, marine atmosphere, measurement method, Ocean heat content, Oceanographic techniques, sea level, sea level change, Temperature, Temperature measurement, Temperature measuring instruments, Thermal expansion, Thermosteric sea level
Abstract

The evolution of ocean temperature measurement systems is presented with a focus on the development and accuracy of two critical devices in use today (expendable bathythermographs and conductivity-temperature-depth instruments used on Argo floats). A detailed discussion of the accuracy of these devices and a projection of the future of ocean temperature measurements are provided. The accuracy of ocean temperature measurements is discussed in detail in the context of ocean heat content, Earth's energy imbalance, and thermosteric sea level rise. Up-to-date estimates are provided for these three important quantities. The total energy imbalance at the top of atmosphere is best assessed by taking an inventory of changes in energy storage. The main storage is in the ocean, the latest values of which are presented. Furthermore, despite differences in measurement methods and analysis techniques, multiple studies show that there has been a multidecadal increase in the heat content of both the upper and deep ocean regions, which reflects the impact of anthropogenic warming. With respect to sea level rise, mutually reinforcing information from tide gauges and radar altimetry shows that presently, sea level is rising at approximately 3 mm yr-1 with contributions from both thermal expansion and mass accumulation from ice melt. The latest data for thermal expansion sea level rise are included here and analyzed. Key Points Oceanographic techniques and analysis have improved over many decadesThese improvements allow more accurate Earth-energy balance estimatesUnderstanding of ocean heat content and sea-level rise has also increased ©2013. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

Note

cited By 80

URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84884383193&doi=10.1002%2frog.20022&partnerID=40&md5=6610c23eb46d231b97395c7625771cb8
DOI10.1002/rog.20022
Citation KeyAbraham2013450