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Potential Predictability of the Spring Bloom in the Southern Ocean Sea Ice Zone
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  • Benjamin Buchovecky,
  • Graeme Alastair MacGilchrist,
  • Mitchell Bushuk,
  • F. Alexander Haumann,
  • Thomas Lukas Frölicher,
  • Natacha Le Grix,
  • John P. Patrick Dunne
Benjamin Buchovecky
Princeton University
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Graeme Alastair MacGilchrist
Princeton University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Mitchell Bushuk
GFDL/NOAA
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F. Alexander Haumann
Princeton University
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Thomas Lukas Frölicher
University of Bern
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Natacha Le Grix
University of Bern
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John P. Patrick Dunne
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory
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Abstract

Every austral spring when Antarctic sea ice melts, favorable growing conditions lead to an intense phytoplankton bloom, which supports much of the local marine ecosystem. Recent studies have found that Antarctic sea ice is predictable several years in advance, suggesting that the spring bloom might exhibit similar predictability. Using a suite of perfect model predictability experiments, we find that November net primary production (NPP) is potentially predictable seven to ten years in advance in many Southern Ocean regions. Sea ice extent predictability peaks in late winter, followed by absorbed shortwave radiation and NPP with a two to three months lag. This seasonal progression of predictability supports our hypothesis that sea ice and light limitation control the inherent predictability of the spring bloom. Our results suggest skillful interannual predictions of NPP may be achievable, with implications for managing fisheries and the marine ecosystem, and guiding conservation policy in the Southern Ocean.
05 Jul 2023Submitted to ESS Open Archive
08 Jul 2023Published in ESS Open Archive