Antonietta Capotondi

Image of Antonietta Capotondi

Position

Scientist

Division

Atmosphere-Ocean Processes and Predictability

Affiliation

CIRES

Contact

(303) 497-6105

antonietta.capotondi@noaa.gov

About

I am a Physical Oceanographer who studies the influence of large-scale ocean circulation on climate variability and change using observations, climate models, as well as Linear Inverse Models (LIMs). One of my major topics of interest is the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon in the tropical Pacific, with emphasis on its dynamics, diversity, decadal modulation, precursors, and impacts.

I am also interested in the variability of ocean physical properties (e.g. temperature, salinity, and resulting stratification) that can impact biological processes by directly changing the physical environment of biological species, or by altering the level of nutrient supply from the deep ocean to the surface sunlit layer where photosynthesis can occur.

Finally, I am interested in elucidating the role played by different oceanic processes in tropical Pacific decadal variability, and the degree to which these processes can provide a source of predictability at decadal timescales.

Research Interests

  • ENSO diversity and its impacts
  • ENSO in a changing climate
  • Processes of climate variability and change relevant for marine ecosystems
  • Ocean extreme conditions, e.g. Marine Heatwaves
  • Pacific Decadal Variability

Education

  • B.S., Physics, University of Pisa, Italy, Mar 1981
  • Ph.D., Physical Oceanography, MIT/WHOI Joint Program, May 1993

Professional Activities

Professional Memberships

  • American Geophysical Union
  • Americal Meteorological Society