Abstract:
By regarding ERA40 reanalysis which is more authentic as observation, the simulation capabilities of 8 AMIP AGCMs provided by IPCC AR4 (CNRM_CM3, GISS_MODEL_E_R, GFDL_CM2_1, IAP_FGOALS1_0_G, NCAR_CCSM3_0, MIROC3_2_MEDRES, MPI_ECHAM5 and UKMO_HADGEM1) have been evaluated and compared, which focus on the zonal mean meridional atmospheric mass flux across the equator for the whole and four divided levels. It illuminates that the simulations of NCAR, MPI and UKMO are closer to the observation about the whole level atmospheric mass transport. The annual cycle of whole level atmospheric mass flux simulated in MIROC3 presents notable differences with observation. Especially, irreal northern mass flux occurs in summer. IAP has opposite direction of mass flux from observation in 7 months of an annual cycle. Because of the wide horizontal and vertical range, the reasons are uncertain of lacking abilities on modeling atmospheric mass transport across the equator for the whole level, but then the lower resolution is one of the reasons besides the dynamics frame and parameterization procedures. Dividing the whole atmosphere into four layers by 700 hPa, 300 hPa and 70 hPa, the atmospheric mass transport concentrates at 700 hPa-ps and 70-300 hPa cross the equator. The 8 models have better simulation abilities at the layers of 700 hPa-ps (I1) and 70-300 hPa (I3) uniformly, which may probably relates with the easiness of describing atmosphere dynamic process at lower and upper troposphere, nevertheless there are more differences between the 8 AGCMs at the layer of 300-700 hPa (I2). Except MIROC3, the other models have the abilities of simulating the annual cycle of atmospheric mass transport in 10-70 hPa (I4) ultimately. The deficiency of MIROC3 may be as a result of improper management of ozone. Furthermore, not only at the equator, meridional atmospheric mass transportation also occurs at other latitudes. Whether in winter, summer or annual mean, the differences of mass flux among these models are all notable from 60°S to 60°N. The simulation result of winter is better than summer. No matter in summer, winter and annual mean, IAP_FGOALS1_0_G and NCAR_CCSM3_0 overrate the northern transport between 50°S and 60°S. The all and the one, this study provides not only a fire-new angle of AGCMs evaluation, but also powerful elements while choosing AGCMs for studying atmospheric mass transport and cross-equatorial flow. UKMO_HADGEM1 has good represent while simulating atmospheric mass flux across the equator, and MPI_ECHAM5 show obvious superiority. There are better exhibition of simulation on some special levels about NCAR, GISS and GFDL. The simulation ability of MIROC is not good enough on simulating the whole level and 700—300 hPa, but good enough on ps— 700 hPaand300~70 hPa. Some shortages are emerged in IAP_FGOALS and CNRM model. Therefore, UKMO_HADGEM1 is the preferred model while studying atmospheric mass meridional transform and those concerned.