ENSO Modulations due to Interannual Variability of Freshwater Forcing and Ocean Biology-induced Heating in the Tropical Pacific

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 5; no. 1; p. 18506
• Main Authors: Zhang, Rong-Hua, Gao, Chuan, Kang, Xianbiao, Zhi, Hai, Wang, Zhanggui, Feng, Licheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 18.12.2015; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 704/106; 704/106/829/2737; El Nino; El Nino-Southern Oscillation; Feedback; Fresh Water; Humanities and Social Sciences; Models, Theoretical; multidisciplinary; Ocean currents; Ocean temperature; Oceans and Seas; Science; Southern Oscillation; Temperature; Tropical Climate
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/srep18506

Recent studies have identified clear climate feedbacks associated with interannual variations in freshwater forcing (FWF) and ocean biology-induced heating (OBH) in the tropical Pacific. The interrelationships among the related anomaly fields are analyzed using hybrid coupled model (HCM) simulations to illustrate their combined roles in modulating the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The HCM-based supporting experiments are performed to isolate the related feedbacks, with interannually varying FWF and OBH being represented individually or collectively, which allows their effects to be examined in a clear way. It is demonstrated that the interannual freshwater forcing enhances ENSO variability and slightly prolongs the simulated ENSO period, while the interannual OBH reduces ENSO variability and slightly shortens the ENSO period, with their feedback effects tending to counteract each other.