AMEMR DMS modelling Workshop

"Exploring the links between ocean-atmosphere interactions and DMS production"

Royal Corinthian Yacht Club Plymouth
12-14th May 2008

The purpose of the workshop is to: 'Examine our current understanding of the coupled ocean atmosphere sulphur cycle. How do we define the level of complexity required to address the feedback between oceanic DMS emission and climate?'

The specific challenges are

1. Which processes determine DMSp production and transformation to DMS in the upper ocean; which should be included in a model and in how much mechanistic detail?
2. Uncertainties in air -sea gas exchange, how can be better parameterise them?
3. Atmospheric sulphur models - what do they require from the ocean?
4. How do we close the feedback loop between air and sea?

The workshop aims to build upon the lessons learnt from the CODIM model inter-comparison exercise and link to activities in UK SOLAS. Our desire is to expand the scope by attracting the input and participation of gas exchange and atmospheric modellers. We don't anticipate this being an inter-model comparison, more a discussion forum divided into specific foci with possibly an end-statement in the form of a paper on our current level of understanding.

The UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) as a part of the international opportunities fund has provided funding for a series of modelling workshops, covering travel and subsistence costs for up to 25 national and international scientists per workshop.

In a generic sense the purpose of these workshops will be to:-

• Review the status of current models and modelling systems with respect to current knowledge.
• Assess the availability datasets from for model testing and development.
• Consider emerging scientific issues and relevant policy drivers.
• Identify gaps in current model capability.
• Produce recommendations for future modelling (and observational) activities designed to address the identified gaps in understanding and capacity. These will be fed to the relevant UK and International program offices with a view to influencing the scope of funding programs.
• Identify synergies between research groups that may form the basis of subsequent funding bids.