Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Carbon and Nutrient Fluxes in Continental Margins: A Global Synthesis

About the book

The book provides best estimates of carbon and nutrient fluxes in seven types of continental margins. In each type, these fluxes are reported in detail individually for 3-7 representative geographic regions, each of which is characterized by concise descriptions of the physical and biogeochemical settings. Drawn from the regional synthesis, a global synthesis is put together for carbon fluxes exchanged between continental margins as a whole and the atmosphere and between that and the open ocean. Global syntheses on sediments and nutrients discharged to the ocean from land are also provided in the book. To guide future research on continental margin biogeochemistry, the book also elaborates on a few critical themes that emerged in recent years. One of these is the human impact on the continental margin biogeochemistry, which accentuates the need to include human perturbation of the system in future research. Thus the book represents the state-of-the-art knowledge on the subject, which will be needed for all researchers on continental margin environmental issues.

Subject and level of book:

The book provides best estimates of carbon and nutrient fluxes in all types of continental margins, which are synthesized to produce the carbon fluxes exchanged between continental margins and the open ocean. The uptake fluxes of atmospheric CO2 in continental margins are also estimated. The key processes controlling the biogeochemistry in continental margins are described for more than 30 geographic units. A few critical overarching research topics are highlighted to show the important research areas.

Subjects emphasised and why:

Continental margins are an important yet poorly understood component in the Earth’s biogeochemical system. However, we do know that they serve as efficient CO2 sequestration machinery in the ocean, known as the continental shelf pump. They also account for more than 3/4 of oceanic denitrification (including anoxic ammonium oxidation) and probably nitrogen fixation, too. It is crucial to understand how the natural and human-induced changes in physical-chemical conditions that have driven the continental margin biogeochemistry. From such understanding we may predict how these forces will drive the biogeochemical changes in continental margins in the Anthropocene and feedback to the earth system. In addition, continental margins are also the site of most fisheries catches in the world. The biogeochemical conditions reveal the health of continental margin ecosystems, which is closely related to the biological resources and their possible future changes.

Particular terminology:

The book assumes the major terminology commonly used in marine biogeochemistry. Some terms of physical oceanography and marine ecology are also used. An electronic glossary for selected key terms is provided on this web site.

Particular method:

The book resorts to local experts’ syntheses of carbon and nutrient fluxes in seven types of continental margins. In each type, these fluxes are reported in detail individually for 3-7 representative geographic regions, each of which is characterized by concise descriptions of the physical and biogeochemical settings. These regional syntheses form the base of the global synthesis achieved by the book.

Particular results:

Drawn from the regional synthesis, a global synthesis is put together for carbon fluxes exchanged between continental margins as a whole and the atmosphere and between that and the open ocean. According to the global synthesis of the book, the estimated net CO2 uptake by continental margins could be as much as 0.3 Pg C/yr, representing ca 20% of the net CO2 uptake (1.6 PgC/yr) in the global ocean. Global syntheses on sediments and nutrients discharged to the ocean from land are also provided in the book.

Benefits to readership:

To guide future research on continental margin biogeochemistry, the book provides concise sketches of the biogeochemical conditions of 30+ continental margins. It also elaborates on a few critical themes that emerged in recent years. One of these is the human impact on the continental margin biogeochemistry, which accentuates the need to include human perturbation of the system in future research. In short, the book represents the state-of-the-art knowledge on the subject, which will be needed for all researchers on continental margin environmental issues.


More information here

International Workshop on ENSO, Decadal Variability and Climate Change in South America


Rationale  
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has a profound influence on South American climate. For example, during an El Niño rainfall tends to increase over Ecuador and decrease over Colombia.  However, the El Niño events that occurred during 2002-2003 and 2006-2007 were different. They did not result in impacts that might have been expected based on our past experiences. The reasons for the differences seen in South America and in other parts of the world are not fully understood, but are the subject of intense research in many countries. This research includes studies examining naturally occurring decadal variability in ENSO and ENSO impacts, differences in the details of sea-surface temperature patterns between El Niño events, and the influence of global warming on ENSO and on the way ENSO affects global weather patterns. It is hoped that this research will lead to more useful information for decision-making in the wider community. This workshop will bring climate experts from around the world to discuss this research and its relevance to South American climate.
Objectives
a)     To review the latest scientific advances on ENSO, decadal variability and Climate  Change in South America.
b)   To review the projected trends and changes in ENSO Teleconnections in South America.
c)   To discuss on  the potential climate impacts for the next 10-15 years and their  social and economical implications in South America
  Organization of the workshop
 The Workshop will be held from October 12th -14th and will be followed by the VI Session of the CLIVAR Pacific Panel from October 15th to 16th. The following thematic sessions will be developed:
a)  The Global Science of ENSO, decadal variability and climate change interactions, including recent advances in understanding differences between El Niño events.
b)  Current climate trends, teleconnections and impacts over South America.
c)  The future of South America in a warmer world: climate dynamics, impacts and prediction.
d)  Impacts of ENSO on biogeochemistry and ecosystems.


Thematic sessions

Tuesday 12th October

Session I: ENSO dynamics, predictability, decadal modulation, and the influence of global climate change
Keynote Speaker: Matt Collins (University of Exeter, UK)
Wednesday 13th October


Session II: ENSO impacts, modeling and forecasting in South America
Keynote Speakers: Marcelo Barreiro (Universidad de la Republic, Uruguay) and Tercio Ambrizzi (University of Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Session III: Decadal variability and climate change in South America
Keynote Speaker:TBA

Thursday 14th October

Session IV: Impacts of ENSO on biogeochemistry and ecosystems (Morning - 14 October)
Keynote Speakers: 2 TBA
Session V: The 2009-2010 El Niño: regional analyses, forecasts, impacts, and climate service applications (Afternoon-14 October)
Keynote Speaker: Affonso Mascarenhas (CIIFEN, Ecuador)
Scientific Committee
Carolina Vera (UBA, Argentina) – co-chair
Michael McPhaden (NOAA, USA) – co-chair
Lisa Goddard (IRI, USA)
Scott Power (BOM, Australia)
Axel Timmerman (IPRC, USA)
Affonso Mascarenhas (CIIFEN, Ecuador)
Boris Dewitte (IRD, Peru)
Jean-Philipe Boulanger (IRD, Argentina)
Organizing committee
Rodney Martinez (CIIFEN, Ecuador)
Wenju Cai (CSIRO, Australia)
Alex Ganachaud (Legos/IRD, 
New Caledonia, France)
Nico Caltabiano (ICPO, UK)

More information here

International Conference on Environment and Resources of the South Pacific





SCOPE
The South Pacific is the largest oceanic area on our planet but also the least known. Nevertheless, two organizations have been established to coordinate actions in the western and eastern regions: the South Pacific Commission and the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific, respectively. Meanwhile, countries in both regions are currently organizing the setting up of the Regional Fishing Organization for the South Pacific.

The need to increase our environmental knowledge of this vast territory, amid concern over the evaluation and management of its exploited resources, is unquestionable. Cultural, technological and scientific exchange will be greatly improved by communicating and sharing the various independent work currently being done throughout the region.

Sharing such information across such a large part of the world is a big challenge and this international conference provides us with an excellent opportunity to meet and discuss our work, experiences and opinions to progress the knowledge base for current and future generations. Thus, the Conference will examine topics related to understanding and managing the ocean environment and its ecosystems that are under, or may come under, commercial exploitation and will build on the work done during the previous International Conference on Marine Resources of the Pacific (Arana 1983).

The conference will be particularly focused on studies related to subjects such as Atmosphere, Oceanography, Aquaculture, Fisheries and Non-Renewable Resources in the South Pacific. Aquaculture topics will be conducted in the context of the “International Aquaculture Congress”, co-organized with the Chilean Aquaculture Society.

It is expected that this conference will represent the beginning of more continuous work, and assist societies, that may seem different but that, together, are able to face the challenge of connecting their disparate activities for the benefit of all.

All presentations and lectures will be published in an internationally recognized regional journal, the Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research (www.lajar.cl).  



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More information here
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