Insights from the SO-CHIC Expedition: what have we done and where are we now?

Abstract

The ocean regulates the global climate by absorbing heat and carbon from the atmosphere and storing them in the deep seas away from the atmosphere for centuries. Most of this process is done in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica, due to its unique circulation system. The role of the Southern Ocean in absorbing heat and carbon is a key process in the global climate system that is not fully understood. It is also unclear how these processes might change in future. The EU-funded SO-CHIC project is working to address some of these gaps in understanding, with work focused on air-sea fluxes, upper and deep ocean ventilation pathways, the role of the Weddell polynya, impacts on the wider climate system, and variability and trends for the future of the Southern Ocean system. The project employs a combination of observational and modelling approaches to advance understanding. This session will explore SO-CHIC’s work and the latest understanding of Southern Ocean climate processes.