Dr. Oleg Saenko

Image Oleg Saenko
Research Scientist

Physical oceanography and climate

Current research and/or projects

Ocean circulation and climate: observations, theories and models

  • Ocean-atmosphere interaction
  • Large-scale ocean circulation
  • Ocean heat uptake processes
  • Climate variability and change

Professional activities / interests

Editor, Journal of Climate, American Meteorological Society (2015-2021)

Co-Chair, Flux-Anomaly-Forced Model Intercomparison Project (FAFMIP), World Climate Research Programme (2016-2021)

Education and awards

Editor's Award, Journal of Climate, American Meteorological Society (2010)

Ph.D., Marine Hydrophysical Institute, Sevastopol, Ukraine (1992)

M.Sc., Odessa Hydrometeorological Institute, Ukraine (1989)

School #3, Novyi Rozdil, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine (1982) 

Key publications

Saenko, O.A., J.M. Gregory, S.M. Griffies, M.P. Couldrey and F.B. Dias. 2021. Contribution of ocean physics and dynamics at different scales to heat uptake in low-resolution AOGCMs. Journal of Climate. 34: 2017–2035. https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-20-0652.1

Sigmond, M., J.C. Fyfe, O.A. Saenko and N.C. Swart. 2020. Ongoing AMOC and related sea-level and temperature changes after achieving the Paris targets. Nature Climate Change. 10: 672–677. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-020-0786-0.

Tandon, N.F., O.A. Saenko, M.A. Cane and P.J. Kushner. 2020. Interannual variability of the global meridional overturning circulation dominated by Pacific variability. Journal of Physical Oceanography. 50: 559-574.

Saenko, O.A., D. Yang and J.M Gregory. 2018. Impact of mesoscale eddy transfer on heat uptake in an eddy-parameterizing ocean model. Journal of Climate. 31: 8589-8606.

Saenko, O.A., D. Yang and P.G. Myers. 2017. Response of the North Atlantic dynamic sea level and circulation to Greenland meltwater and climate change in an eddy-permitting ocean model. Climate Dynamics. doi: 10.1007/s00382-016-3495-7.

Hogg, A. McC., P. Spence, O.A. Saenko and S.M. Downes. 2017. The energetics of Southern Ocean upwelling. Journal of Physical Oceanography. 47: 135-153.

Saenko, O.A., J.C. Fyfe, N.C. Swart, W.G. Lee and M.H. England. 2016. Influence of tropical wind on global temperature from months to decades. Climate Dynamics. 47: 2193-2203.

Cummins, P.F., D. Masson and O.A. Saenko. 2016. Vertical heat flux in the ocean: estimates from observations and from a coupled general circulation model. Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans. 121: 3790-3802.  

Saenko, O.A., D. Yang, J.M. Gregory, P. Spence and P.G. Myers. 2015. Separating the influence of projected changes in air temperature and wind on patterns of sea level change and ocean heat content. Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans. 120: 5749-5765. 

Saenko, O.A., F. Dupont, D. Yang, P.G. Myers, I. Yashayaev and G.C. Smith. 2014. Role of resolved and parameterized eddies in the Labrador Sea balance of heat and buoyancy. Journal of Physical Oceanography. 44: 3008–3032.

Stanley, G.J. and O.A. Saenko. 2014. Bottom-enhanced diapycnal mixing driven by mesoscale eddies: sensitivity to wind energy supply. Journal of Physical Oceanography. 44: 68–85.

Morrison, A.K., O. A. Saenko, A.McC. Hogg and P. Spence. 2013. The role of vertical eddy flux in Southern Ocean heat uptake. Geophysical Research Letters. 40: 5445-5450.

Saenko, O.A., X. Zhai, W.J. Merryfield and W.G. Lee. 2012. The combined effect of tidally and eddy-driven diapycnal mixing on the large-scale ocean circulation. Journal of Physical Oceanography. 42: 526–538.

Spence, P. O.A. Saenko, W. Sijp and M. England. 2012. The role of bottom pressure torques on the interior pathways of North Atlantic Deep Water. Journal of Physical Oceanography. 42: 110-125.

Spence, P., O.A. Saenko, M. Eby and A.J. Weaver. 2009. The Southern Ocean overturning: parametrized versus permitted eddies. Journal of Physical Oceanography. 39: 1634-1651.

Saenko, O.A. 2006. The effect of localized mixing on the ocean circulation and time-dependent climate change. Journal of Physical Oceanography. 36: 140-160.

Saenko, O.A. 2006. Influence of global warming on baroclinic Rossby radius in the ocean: A model intercomparison. Journal of Climate. 19: 1354–1360.

Saenko, O.A., J.C. Fyfe and M.H. England. 2005. On the response of the ocean wind-driven circulation to CO2 increase. Climate Dynamics. 25: 415-426.

Saenko, O.A. and W.J. Merryfield. 2005. On the effect of topographically-enhanced mixing on the global ocean circulation. Journal of Physical Oceanography. 35: 826-834.

Saenko, O. A., A. Schmittner and A. J. Weaver. 2004. The Atlantic-Pacific seesaw. Journal of Climate. 17: 2033-2038.

Gregory, J.M., O.A. Saenko and A.J. Weaver. 2003. The role of the Atlantic freshwater balance in the hysteresis of the meridional overturning circulation. Climate Dynamics. 21: 707-717. 

Weaver, A.J., O.A. Saenko, P.U. Clark and J.X. Mitrovica. 2003. Meltwater pulse 1A from the Antarctic ice sheet as a trigger of the Bolling-Allerod warm interval. Science. 299: 1709-1713.

Saenko, O.A. and A.J. Weaver. 2001. Importance of wind-driven sea ice motion for the formation of Antarctic Intermediate Water in a global climate model. Geophysical Research Letters. 28: 4147-4150.

Korotaev, G.K., O.A. Saenko, and C.J. Koblinsky. 2001. Satellite altimetry observations of the Black Sea. Journal of Geophysical Research. 106(C1): 917-933.

Knysh, V.V., O.A. Saenko and A.S. Sarkisyan. 1996. Method of assimilation of altimeter data and its test in the tropical North Atlantic. Russian Journal of Numerical Analysis and Mathematical Modelling. 11 (5): 393-410. https://doi.org/10.1515/rnam.1996.11.5.393.

Moiseenko, V.A and O.A. Saenko. 1992. Using the Kalman smoother to analyse and process oceanographic data. Russian Journal of Numerical Analysis and Mathematical Modelling. 7 (3): 241-254. https://doi.org/10.1515/rnam.1992.7.3.241

Research facility

3800 Finnerty Rd
Victoria, BC V8W 3R4
Canada

Affiliations

Adjunct Professor, University of Victoria, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Victoria, Canada

Language

English