Exploring Biogeochemical Dynamics in the Euphotic Zone: Insights from Large Eddy Simulation with Reduced Carbonate Chemistry Model
In the euphotic zone of the ocean, where air-sea gas exchange occurs and light is abundant, ocean tracers such as dissolved inorganic carbon and alkalinity advect, di<use, and react within the fluid flow. Due to turbulent stirring, the spatial distribution of these tracers are heterogenous. In our lab, we use a large eddy simulation (LES) with a reduced carbonate chemistry model to understand the spatiotemporal distribution of these tracers at the submesoscale. Tracer properties and reactions have been characterized by previous studies and their mixing depends on several parameters. As we continue to expand the biogeochemistry in the model, the LES will help us predict future ocean dynamics as anthropogenic carbon and temperature increase.