Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3808
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3808
16 Sep 2025
 | 16 Sep 2025

A Revised Temperature-Dependent Remineralization Scheme for the Community Earth System Model (v1.2.2)

Elizabeth K. Brabson, Loren F. Doyle, R. Paul Acosta, Alexey V. Fedorov, Pincelli M. Hull, and Natalie J. Burls

Abstract. Export of carbon from the euphotic zone to intermediate and deep water plays a critical role in the ocean’s feedback response to a warming climate. However, as water temperature increases so does the rate of bacterial respiration at the base of the biological pump, resulting in more efficient recycling of carbon in the upper ocean, less efficient export of carbon to depth, and a diminished net negative feedback on climate. Therefore, to better predict climate response associated with changes in ocean carbon storage in warming scenarios, it is imperative to incorporate temperature-sensitive mechanisms, such as bacterial respiration (remineralization), into Earth system models. Here, we employ a new temperature-dependent parameterization for remineralization (Tdep) in the Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1) applied to gravitationally sinking particulate organic carbon (POC) in a preindustrial control simulation. We find that the inclusion of Tdep in both low and high-resolution model configurations more accurately captures regional heterogeneity in POC transfer efficiency while preserving the overall trends in nutrient distribution and attenuation of sinking particulate matter when compared with modern empirical data. Inclusion of this parametrization will allow for improved predictions of temperature-sensitive mechanisms impacting carbon storage in the warming ocean.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

03 Feb 2026
A revised temperature-dependent remineralization scheme for the Community Earth System Model (v1.2.2)
Elizabeth K. Brabson, Loren F. Doyle, R. Paul Acosta, Alexey V. Fedorov, Pincelli M. Hull, and Natalie J. Burls
Geosci. Model Dev., 19, 1143–1156, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-1143-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-1143-2026, 2026
Short summary
Elizabeth K. Brabson, Loren F. Doyle, R. Paul Acosta, Alexey V. Fedorov, Pincelli M. Hull, and Natalie J. Burls

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-3808', Anonymous Referee #1, 16 Oct 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-3808', Anonymous Referee #2, 22 Oct 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-3808', Anonymous Referee #1, 16 Oct 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-3808', Anonymous Referee #2, 22 Oct 2025

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
AR by Liz Brabson on behalf of the Authors (10 Dec 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (11 Dec 2025) by Heather Kim
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (31 Dec 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (14 Jan 2026)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (15 Jan 2026) by Heather Kim
AR by Liz Brabson on behalf of the Authors (25 Jan 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (26 Jan 2026) by Heather Kim
AR by Liz Brabson on behalf of the Authors (29 Jan 2026)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

03 Feb 2026
A revised temperature-dependent remineralization scheme for the Community Earth System Model (v1.2.2)
Elizabeth K. Brabson, Loren F. Doyle, R. Paul Acosta, Alexey V. Fedorov, Pincelli M. Hull, and Natalie J. Burls
Geosci. Model Dev., 19, 1143–1156, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-1143-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-1143-2026, 2026
Short summary
Elizabeth K. Brabson, Loren F. Doyle, R. Paul Acosta, Alexey V. Fedorov, Pincelli M. Hull, and Natalie J. Burls
Elizabeth K. Brabson, Loren F. Doyle, R. Paul Acosta, Alexey V. Fedorov, Pincelli M. Hull, and Natalie J. Burls

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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
Earth System Models are an essential tool for climate studies, yet temperature-sensitive parameters are often absent, resulting in a gap in model predictive capabilities. Organic carbon breakdown, also known as remineralization, is one such process. Here, we add this parameter to the Community Earth System Model and find improved regional patterns of carbon export. The new code will serve as a useful tool to improve the examination of marine carbon cycle feedbacks to changing climate conditions.
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