Broccoli, A. J., and S. Manabe, 1987: The influence of continental
ice, atmospheric CO2, and land albedo on
the climate of the last glacial maximum. Climate Dynamics, 1,
87-99.
Abstract: The contributions of expanded continental ice, reduced
atmospheric CO2, and changes in land albedo
to the maintenance of the climate of the last glascial maximum (LGM) are
examined. A series of experiments is performed using an atmosphere-mixed
layer ocean model in which these changes in boundary conditions are incorporated
either singly or in combination. The model used has been shown to produce
a reasonably realistic simulation of the reduced temperature of the LGM
(Manabe and Broccoli 1985b). By comparing the results from pairs of experiments,
the effects of each of these environmental changes can be determined.The
contributions of expanded continental ice, reduced atmospheric CO2,
and changes in land albedo to the maintenance of the climate of the last
glacial maximum (LGM) are examined. A series of experiments is performed
using an atmosphere-mixed layer ocean model in which these changes in boundary
conditions are incorporated either singly or in combination. The model
used has been shown to produce a reasonably realistic simulation of the
reduced temperature of the LGM (Manabe and Broccoli 1985b). By comparing
the results from pairs of experiments, the effects of each of these environmental
changes can be determined.
Expanded continental ice and reduced atmospheric CO2
are found to have a substantial impact on global mean temperature. The
ice sheet effect is confined almost exclusively to the Northern Hemisphere,
while lowered CO2 cools both hemispheres.
Changes in land albedo over ice-free areas have only a minor thermal effect
on a global basis. The reduction of CO2
content in the atmosphere is the primary contributor to the cooling of
the Southern Hemisphere. The model sensitivity to both the ice sheet and
CO2 effects is characterized by a high
latitude amplification and a late autumn and early winter maximum. Expanded
continental ice and reduced atmospheric CO2
are found to have a substantial impact on global mean temperature. The
ice sheet effect is confined almost exclusively to the Northern Hemisphere,
while lowered CO2 cools both hemispheres.
Changes in land albedo over ice-free areas have only a minor thermal effect
on a global basis. The reduction of CO2
content in the atmosphere is the primary contributor to the cooling of
the Southern Hemisphere. The model sensitivity to both the ice sheet and
CO2 effects is characterized by a high
latitude amplification and a late autumn and early winter maximum.
Substantial changes in Northern Hemisphere tropospheric circulation are
found in response to LGM boundary contitions during winter. An amplified
flow pattern and enhanced westerlies occur in the vicinity of the North
American and Eurasian ice sheets. These alterations of the troposopheric
circulation are primarily the result of the ice sheet effect, with reduced
CO2 contributing only a slight amplification
of the ice sheet-induced pattern.