Articles | Volume 22, issue 18
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-5009-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-5009-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
26 Sep 2025
Research article |
| 26 Sep 2025
| 26 Sep 2025
Northern North Atlantic climate variability controls on ocean carbon sinks in EC-Earth3-CC
Anna Pedersen
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Nordcee, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, 5230, Denmark
Danish Meteorological Institute, National Centre for Climate Research, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark
Carolin R. Löscher
Nordcee, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, 5230, Denmark
Steffen M. Olsen
Danish Meteorological Institute, National Centre for Climate Research, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark
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Hermann Bange, Carolin Löscher, Damian Arévalo-Martínez, Stefano Bonaglia, Hanna Farnelid, Bo Gustafsson, Dana Hellemann, Jenny Hieronymus, Peeter Laas, Christian Lønborg, Natalie Loick-Wilde, Volker Matthias, Joseph Montoya, Sofia Saraiva, Vibe Schourup-Kristensen, Beata Szymczycha, Germo Väli, Maren Voss, Mindaugas Zilius, and Malin Olofsson
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5940, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5940, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Biogeosciences (BG).
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The nitrogen cycle of the Baltic Sea has received considerable attention over the past five decades mainly due to the ongoing expansion of oxygen-free zones. Here we present a summary of the present state of the nitrogen cycle in the Baltic Sea, identify open research questions and suggest a way forward to address the open questions with the aim to reduce uncertainties in projections of the future nitrogen cycle which, in turn, can advance and help management measures for ecosystem restoration.
Alex Hayward, Nishka Dasgupta, Ronan McAdam, Mark R. Payne, Roshin P. Raj, Giulia Bonino, Sourav Chatterjee, Vincent Combes, Dimitra Denaxa, Francesco De Rovere, Pia Englyst, Veera Haapaniemi, Paul Hargous, Jacob Høyer, K. Ajith Joseph, Beatriz Lopes, Ana Oliveira, João Paixão, Fabiola Silva, Saradhy Surendran, Artemis Zegna-Rata, and Steffen M. Olsen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 18, 7181–7197, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-7181-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-7181-2026, 2026
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We present a global marine heatwave and cold spell dataset (1982–2024) based on satellite sea surface temperature. The dataset applies multiple definitions in parallel, varying baselines, thresholds, detrending, and event durations. It enables consistent comparisons of marine heatwave characterisation across methods and supports climate monitoring, and ecological impact studies.
Sofie Hedetoft, Olivia Bang Brinck, Ruth Mottram, Andrea M. U. Gierisch, Steffen Malskær Olsen, Martin Olesen, Nicolaj Hansen, Anders Anker Bjørk, Erik Loebel, Anne Solgaard, and Peter Thejll
The Cryosphere, 20, 5071–5098, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-5071-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-5071-2026, 2026
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Iceberg mélange is the jumble of icebergs in front of some glaciers that calve into the sea. Some studies suggest mélange might help to control the retreat of glaciers. We studied 3 glaciers in NW Greenland where we used GPS sensors and satellites to track ice movement. We found that glaciers push forward and calve all year, including when mélange and landfast sea ice are present, suggesting mélange is not important in supporting glaciers, but may influence the seasonal calving cycle.
Anna Pedersen, Steffen M. Olsen, and Carolin R. Löscher
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5131, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5131, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Ocean Science (OS).
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High Arctic fjords are changing rapidly with climate warming, but their response remains poorly understood. We studied seasonal changes in the waters of Inglefield Bredning, northwest Greenland, to understand how nutrients reach the surface and support life. We found that deep waters store heat and nutrients, but strong layering limits their transfer upward. Glacier activity may locally increase nutrient supply. Future productivity will depend on how warming alters these processes.
Andrea M. U. Gierisch, Bogi Hansen, Karin Margretha. H. Larsen, and Steffen M. Olsen
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5283, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-5283, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Ocean Science (OS).
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Around the Faroe Islands there is a submarine ridge, which interferes with the large-scale northward flow of warm Atlantic water and the southward flow of cold deep waters. To improve the simulation of these water flows in an ocean model we increase the grid resolution locally in the region of the ridge. Compared to observations, the water flow becomes more realistic and the cold water sinks deeper. Possibly, the same approach could improve the ocean circulation also in climate models.
Guðrið Eriksdóttir, Bogi Hansen, Karin Margretha H. Larsen, Steffen M. Olsen, Andrea M. U. Gierisch, and Sólveig Rósa Ólafsdóttir
Ocean Sci., 22, 2405–2423, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-2405-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-2405-2026, 2026
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The Atlantic inflow across the Iceland-Faroe Ridge carries almost half of the warm water towards the Arctic. This study explores the modifications of the Atlantic water on its way to and across this underwater ridge. While crossing the ridge, the water is strongly cooled and freshened, which can reduce the ability for deep-water formation. Understanding these processes is important for improving ocean and climate models so more realistic forecasts can be made in a warming climate.
Isabell Schlangen, Elizabeth Leon-Palmero, Annabell Moser, Peihang Xu, Erik Laursen, and Carolin R. Löscher
Biogeosciences, 23, 1–19, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-1-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-1-2026, 2026
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We explored nitrogen fixation in the Arctic Ocean, revealing its key role in supporting coastal productivity, especially near melting glaciers. By combining molecular data, rate measurements, and environmental analysis, we identified dominant microbes like symbiotic unicellular cyanobacteria and linked high nitrogen fixation to glacial melt. Our findings suggest that climate-driven changes may expand niches for these microbes, reshaping nitrogen cycles and Arctic productivity in the future.
Sebastian I. Cantarero, Edgart Flores, Harry Allbrook, Paulina Aguayo, Cristian A. Vargas, John E. Tamanaha, J. Bentley C. Scholz, Lennart T. Bach, Carolin R. Löscher, Ulf Riebesell, Balaji Rajagopalan, Nadia Dildar, and Julio Sepúlveda
Biogeosciences, 21, 3927–3958, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3927-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3927-2024, 2024
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Our study explores lipid remodeling in response to environmental stress, specifically how cell membrane chemistry changes. We focus on intact polar lipids in a phytoplankton community exposed to diverse stressors in a mesocosm experiment. The observed remodeling indicates acyl chain recycling for energy storage in intact polar lipids during stress, reallocating resources based on varying growth conditions. This understanding is essential to grasp the system's impact on cellular pools.
Jakob Rønning, Zarah J. Kofoed, Mats Jacobsen, and Carolin R. Löscher
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2884, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2884, 2024
Preprint archived
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In our study, we assessed the impact of olivine on marine primary producers of ocean-based solutions. The experiments revealed no negative effects on carbon fixation rates. Additions of the alkaline minerals did not establish growth inhibition; instead, they showed slight growth increases with species-specific responses. Ni exposure from olivine did not inhibit growth. However, limitations include the absence of responses in natural settings.
Matthew D. Eisaman, Sonja Geilert, Phil Renforth, Laura Bastianini, James Campbell, Andrew W. Dale, Spyros Foteinis, Patricia Grasse, Olivia Hawrot, Carolin R. Löscher, Greg H. Rau, and Jakob Rønning
State Planet, 2-oae2023, 3, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-3-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-3-2023, 2023
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Ocean-alkalinity-enhancement technologies refer to various methods and approaches aimed at increasing the alkalinity of seawater. This chapter explores technologies for increasing ocean alkalinity, including electrochemical-based approaches, ocean liming, accelerated weathering of limestone, hydrated carbonate addition, and coastal enhanced weathering, and suggests best practices in research and development.
Bogi Hansen, Karin M. H. Larsen, Hjálmar Hátún, Steffen M. Olsen, Andrea M. U. Gierisch, Svein Østerhus, and Sólveig R. Ólafsdóttir
Ocean Sci., 19, 1225–1252, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-1225-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-1225-2023, 2023
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Based on in situ observations combined with sea level anomaly (SLA) data from satellite altimetry, volume as well as heat (relative to 0 °C) transport of the Iceland–Faroe warm-water inflow towards the Arctic (IF inflow) increased from 1993 to 2021. The reprocessed SLA data released in December 2021 represent observed variations accurately. The IF inflow crosses the Iceland–Faroe Ridge in two branches, with retroflection in between. The associated coupling to overflow reduces predictability.
Zhibo Shao, Yangchun Xu, Hua Wang, Weicheng Luo, Lice Wang, Yuhong Huang, Nona Sheila R. Agawin, Ayaz Ahmed, Mar Benavides, Mikkel Bentzon-Tilia, Ilana Berman-Frank, Hugo Berthelot, Isabelle C. Biegala, Mariana B. Bif, Antonio Bode, Sophie Bonnet, Deborah A. Bronk, Mark V. Brown, Lisa Campbell, Douglas G. Capone, Edward J. Carpenter, Nicolas Cassar, Bonnie X. Chang, Dreux Chappell, Yuh-ling Lee Chen, Matthew J. Church, Francisco M. Cornejo-Castillo, Amália Maria Sacilotto Detoni, Scott C. Doney, Cecile Dupouy, Marta Estrada, Camila Fernandez, Bieito Fernández-Castro, Debany Fonseca-Batista, Rachel A. Foster, Ken Furuya, Nicole Garcia, Kanji Goto, Jesús Gago, Mary R. Gradoville, M. Robert Hamersley, Britt A. Henke, Cora Hörstmann, Amal Jayakumar, Zhibing Jiang, Shuh-Ji Kao, David M. Karl, Leila R. Kittu, Angela N. Knapp, Sanjeev Kumar, Julie LaRoche, Hongbin Liu, Jiaxing Liu, Caroline Lory, Carolin R. Löscher, Emilio Marañón, Lauren F. Messer, Matthew M. Mills, Wiebke Mohr, Pia H. Moisander, Claire Mahaffey, Robert Moore, Beatriz Mouriño-Carballido, Margaret R. Mulholland, Shin-ichiro Nakaoka, Joseph A. Needoba, Eric J. Raes, Eyal Rahav, Teodoro Ramírez-Cárdenas, Christian Furbo Reeder, Lasse Riemann, Virginie Riou, Julie C. Robidart, Vedula V. S. S. Sarma, Takuya Sato, Himanshu Saxena, Corday Selden, Justin R. Seymour, Dalin Shi, Takuhei Shiozaki, Arvind Singh, Rachel E. Sipler, Jun Sun, Koji Suzuki, Kazutaka Takahashi, Yehui Tan, Weiyi Tang, Jean-Éric Tremblay, Kendra Turk-Kubo, Zuozhu Wen, Angelicque E. White, Samuel T. Wilson, Takashi Yoshida, Jonathan P. Zehr, Run Zhang, Yao Zhang, and Ya-Wei Luo
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 3673–3709, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-3673-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-3673-2023, 2023
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N2 fixation by marine diazotrophs is an important bioavailable N source to the global ocean. This updated global oceanic diazotroph database increases the number of in situ measurements of N2 fixation rates, diazotrophic cell abundances, and nifH gene copy abundances by 184 %, 86 %, and 809 %, respectively. Using the updated database, the global marine N2 fixation rate is estimated at 223 ± 30 Tg N yr−1, which triplicates that using the original database.
Christian Furbo Reeder, Ina Stoltenberg, Jamileh Javidpour, and Carolin Regina Löscher
Ocean Sci., 18, 401–417, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-401-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-401-2022, 2022
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The Baltic Sea is predicted to freshen in the future. To explore the effect of decreasing salinity on N2 fixers, we followed the natural salinity gradient in the Baltic Sea from the Kiel Fjord to the Gotland Basin and identified an N2 fixer community dominated by Nodularia and UCYN-A. A salinity threshold was identified at a salinity of 10, with Nodularia dominating at low and UCYN-A dominating at higher salinity, suggesting a future expansion of Nodularia N2 fixers and a retraction of UCYN-A.
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Short summary
The North Atlantic plays a crucial role in absorbing atmospheric CO2, but its air–sea CO2 flux varies across time and space. Using historical climate model simulations, we investigate how physical and oceanic processes drive the variability. Our results show that sea ice, temperature, salinity, wind stress, and ocean circulation shape CO2 exchange, with short-term fluctuations playing a dominant role. Understanding these complex interactions is key to predicting future ocean carbon uptake.
The North Atlantic plays a crucial role in absorbing atmospheric CO2, but its air–sea CO2 flux...
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