TITLE: Explicit representation of bacteria in a global ocean biogeochemical model.

SUPERVISOR & CO-SUPERVISORS
Corinne Le Quéré, Erik Buitenhuis (UEA and BAS, UK)
Gerhard Herndl (NIOZ, The Netherlands)
University of East Anglia (UEA)
British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION The most recent climate models include representations of ecosystem processes, both on land and in the oceans. Ecosystem processes are now seen as vital to a better understanding of the various climate feedbacks. Here we propose to investigate the feedback between climate and the oceanic carbon cycle through the degradation of organic matter by bacteria. This project will profit from two new global datasets of bacterial biomass and DOC that are being prepared by the Marine Ecology Model Intercomparison Project (MAREMIP). This work will be undertaken in the framework of the Dynamic Green Ocean Project, an international project aimed at developing a community model of ocean biogeochemistry for applications to Earth system problems.
The Ph.D. student will gain experience in modeling marine biogeochemistry and global climate, and with the analysis of oceanographic observations and paleoceanographic and ice-core proxies for model validation. The student will work as part of a small but dynamic and highly international group and in collaboration with a worldwide network of marine ecologists and ocean modelers.

Funding: We are seeking a candidate for this project to apply for funding.

How to apply: Please contact Erik Buitenhuis.