Comparing the behaviour of two ocean surface models in simulating dissolved O2 concentration at O.W.S.P.

We compare the simulation of the O 2 concentration in the mixed layer at Sta. P using two different mixed layer models with the same biological production-consumption function. One is the integral mixed layer model already used by Thomas et al. (Deep-Sea Research, 37, 463-491, 1990). The other is the eddy kinetic energy (EKE) model of Gaspar et al. (Journal of Geophysical Research, 95, 16179-16194, 1990). The latter simulates better both the seasonal and the short time evolution of the oxygen concentration. The submixed layer summer supersaturation is also closer to observations, by about 25%, though a factor of 2 too high: this could be improved by adjustment of the production function. The net annual gas exchange flux with the atmosphere is always a degassing of the order of 10% of the total biological production.