WP2 Case Study Area Modelling: Concepts and Status

As part of WP2, an integrated high-resolution hydrodynamic ocean circulation model (ROMS – Regional Ocean Modelling System) and biogeochemical model of organic matter (OM) will be developed to investigate physical controls of OM transport in two case study areas and benthic ecosystems (Rockall Bank, Condor Seamount). A similar approach will be applied to a third case study area (Davis Strait), where data from the VIKING20 model will directly be used as input to the OM model. VIKING20 is a 1/20° grid of the polar/subpolar North Atlantic embedded in the global 1/4° ORCA model. The main aim of this integrated model approach is to quantify hydrodynamic controls, organic matter supply and ecosystem response to changing AMOC in case study areas. In addition, VIKING20 model data were analysed to identify periods of strong changes in the state of the AMOC.  These periods will be used as reference periods for the high-resolution model simulations. We present a brief overview of the concept and status of the WP2 case study area modelling, together with examples from the VIKING20 model data analysis.