scholarly journals The Arctic–Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation*

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (21) ◽  
pp. 8698-8705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tor Eldevik ◽  
Jan Even Ø. Nilsen
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Thermohaline Circulation ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Atlantic Water ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Freshwater Input ◽  
Future Change ◽  
Nordic Seas ◽  
Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation ◽  
Northern Branch

Abstract The Atlantic Ocean's thermohaline circulation is an important modulator of global climate. Its northern branch extends through the Nordic Seas to the cold Arctic, a region that appears to be particularly influenced by climate change. A thermohaline circulation is fundamentally concerned with two degrees of freedom. This is in particular the case for the inflow of warm and saline Atlantic Water through the Nordic Seas toward the Arctic that is balanced by two branches of outflow. The authors present an analytical model, rooted in observations, that constrains the strength and structure of this Arctic–Atlantic thermohaline circulation. It is found, maybe surprisingly, that the strength of Atlantic inflow is relatively insensitive to anomalous freshwater input; it mainly reflects changes in northern heat loss. Freshwater anomalies are predominantly balanced by the inflow's partition into estuarine and overturning circulation with southward polar outflow in the surface and dense overflow at depth, respectively. More quantitatively, the approach presented herein provides a relatively simple framework for making closed and consistent inference on the thermohaline circulation's response to observed or estimated past and future change in the northern seas.

scholarly journals Frontal structures in the West Spitsbergen Current margins

Ocean Science ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 957-975 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Walczowski
Keyword(s):  
Thermohaline Circulation ◽  
Baroclinic Instability ◽  
Atlantic Water ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
The West ◽  
Jet Streams ◽  
Nordic Seas ◽  
Western Border ◽  
West Spitsbergen

Abstract. The structures of the hydrographic fronts separating the Atlantic-origin waters from ambient waters in the northern Nordic Seas are discussed. Flows of the western and eastern branches of the West Spitsbergen Current create the Atlantic domain borders and maintain these fronts. This work is based on previous research and on investigations carried out in the project DAMOCLES (Developing Arctic Modelling and Observational Capabilities for Long-term Environmental Studies). Most of the observational data were collected during the R/V Oceania cruises. The main focus of the paper is the western border of the Atlantic domain – the Arctic Front, alongfrontal and transfrontal transports, and the front instability and variability. The alongfrontal baroclinic jet streams were described as a significant source of the Atlantic Water and heat in the Nordic Seas. The baroclinic instability and advection of baroclinic eddies which occurs due to this instability were found to be the main transfrontal transport processes. Most of the Atlantic Water transported by the western branch recirculates west and southward. The eastern branch of the West Spitsbergen Current provides most of the Atlantic Water entering the Arctic Ocean. Both processes are very important for the Arctic and global thermohaline circulation.

scholarly journals Stability and forcing of the Iceland-Faroe inflow of water, heat, and salt to the Arctic

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1245-1287 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Hansen ◽  
H. Hátún ◽  
R. Kristiansen ◽  
S. M. Olsen ◽  
S. Østerhus
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Thermohaline Circulation ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Atlantic Water ◽  
Volume Transport ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Nordic Seas ◽  
The North ◽  
Significant Seasonal Variation ◽  
System Coupling

Abstract. The flow of Atlantic water across the Greenland-Scotland Ridge (Atlantic inflow) is critical for conditions in the Nordic Seas and Arctic Ocean by importing heat and salt. Here, we present a decade-long series of measurements from the Iceland-Faroe inflow branch (IF-inflow), which carries almost half the total Atlantic inflow. The observations show no significant trend in volume transport of Atlantic water, but temperature and salinity increased during the observational period. On shorter time scales, the observations show considerable variations but no statistically significant seasonal variation is observed and even weekly averaged transport values were consistently uni-directional from the Atlantic into the Nordic Seas. Combining transport time-series with sea level height from satellite altimetry and wind stress reveals that the force driving the IF-inflow across the topographic barrier of the Ridge is mainly generated by a pressure gradient that is due to a continuously maintained low sea level in the Southern Nordic Seas. This links the IF-inflow to the estuarine and thermohaline processes that generate outflow from the Nordic Seas and lower its sea level. The IF-inflow is an important component of the system coupling the Arctic region to the North Atlantic through the thermohaline circulation, which has been predicted to weaken in the 21st century. Our observations show no indication of weakening, as yet.

scholarly journals Recent Trends in Freshwater Influx to the Arctic Ocean from Four Major Arctic-Draining Rivers

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roxanne Ahmed ◽  
Terry Prowse ◽  
Yonas Dibike ◽  
Barrie Bonsal ◽  
Hayley O’Neil
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Thermohaline Circulation ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Ocean Dynamics ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Freshwater Input ◽  
Discharge Data ◽  
The Arctic Ocean ◽  
Spring Freshet ◽  
Daily Discharge

Runoff from Arctic rivers constitutes a major freshwater influx to the Arctic Ocean. In these nival-dominated river systems, the majority of annual discharge is released during the spring snowmelt period. The circulation regime of the salinity-stratified Arctic Ocean is connected to global earth–ocean dynamics through thermohaline circulation; hence, variability in freshwater input from the Arctic flowing rivers has important implications for the global climate system. Daily discharge data from each of the four largest Arctic-draining river watersheds (Mackenzie, Ob, Lena and Yenisei; herein referred to as MOLY) are analyzed to identify historic changes in the magnitude and timing of freshwater input to the Arctic Ocean with emphasis on the spring freshet. Results show that the total freshwater influx to the Arctic Ocean increased by 89 km3/decade, amounting to a 14% increase during the 30-year period from 1980 to 2009. A distinct shift towards earlier melt timing is also indicated by proportional increases in fall, winter and spring discharges (by 2.5%, 1.3% and 2.5% respectively) followed by a decrease (by 5.8%) in summer discharge as a percentage of the mean annual flow. This seasonal increase in discharge and earlier pulse onset dates indicates a general shift towards a flatter, broad-based hydrograph with earlier peak discharges. The study also reveals that the increasing trend in freshwater discharge to the Arctic Ocean is not solely due to increased spring freshet discharge, but is a combination of increases in all seasons except that of the summer.

scholarly journals Stability and forcing of the Iceland-Faroe inflow of water, heat, and salt to the Arctic

Ocean Science ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1013-1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Hansen ◽  
H. Hátún ◽  
R. Kristiansen ◽  
S. M. Olsen ◽  
S. Østerhus
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Thermohaline Circulation ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Atlantic Water ◽  
Volume Transport ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Nordic Seas ◽  
The North ◽  
Significant Seasonal Variation ◽  
System Coupling

Abstract. The flow of Atlantic water across the Greenland-Scotland Ridge (Atlantic inflow) is critical for conditions in the Nordic Seas and Arctic Ocean by importing heat and salt. Here, we present a decade-long series of measurements from the Iceland-Faroe inflow branch (IF-inflow), which carries almost half the total Atlantic inflow. The observations show no significant trend in volume transport of Atlantic water, but temperature and salinity increased during the observational period. On shorter time scales, the observations show considerable variations but no statistically significant seasonal variation is observed and even weekly averaged transport values were consistently uni-directional from the Atlantic into the Nordic Seas. Combining transport time-series with sea level height from satellite altimetry and wind stress reveals that the force driving the IF-inflow across the topographic barrier of the Ridge is mainly generated by a pressure gradient that is due to a continuously maintained low sea level in the Southern Nordic Seas. This implies that the relative stability of the IF-inflow derives from the processes that lower the sea level by generating outflow from the Nordic Seas, especially the thermohaline processes that generate overflow. The IF-inflow is an important component of the system coupling the Arctic region to the North Atlantic through the thermohaline circulation, which has been predicted to weaken in the 21st century. Our observations show no indication of weakening.

The use of Cs and Sr isotopes as tracers in the Arctic Mediterranean Seas

1988 ◽  
Vol 325 (1583) ◽  
pp. 161-176 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Thermohaline Circulation ◽  
Atlantic Water ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Coastal Current ◽  
Intermediate Water ◽  
Sr Isotopes ◽  
Arctic Ice ◽  
Norwegian Coastal Current

The Arctic Mediterranean Seas constitute an oceanic region in which the thermohaline circulation has a strong advective component and deep ventilation processes are very active relative to other oceanic areas. Details of the nature of these circulation and ventilation processes have been revealed through use of Cs and Sr isotopes from bomb-fallout and nuclear-waste sources as ocean tracers. In both cases, their regional input is dominated by advective supply in the Norwegian Atlantic Current and Norwegian Coastal Current, respectively. The different temporal, spatial, and compositional input patterns of these tracers have been used to study different facets of the regional circulation. These input differences and some representative applications of the use of these tracers are reviewed. The data discussed derive from samples collected both from research vessels and from Arctic ice camps. The topics addressed include: ( a ) the role of Arctic Intermediate Water as source, supplying recent surface water to North Atlantic Deep Water via the Denmark Strait overflow; ( b ) deep convective mixing in the Greenland Sea; ( c ) circulation or recirculation of Atlantic water in the Arctic basins; and ( d ) the role of Arctic shelfwaters in the ventilation of intermediate and deep water in the Eurasian and Canadian basins.

Influence of Nordic Seas dynamics on the Atlantic Water propagation and its impacts on sea ice concentration.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sourav Chatterjee ◽  
Roshin P Raj ◽  
Laurent Bertino ◽  
Nuncio Murukesh
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Atlantic Water ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Deep Water Formation ◽  
Sea Ice Concentration ◽  
Nordic Seas ◽  
Ice Concentration ◽  
Water Formation

<p>Enhanced intrusion of warm and saline Atlantic Water (AW) to the Arctic Ocean (AO) in recent years has drawn wide interest of the scientific community owing to its potential role in ‘Arctic Amplification’. Not only the AW has warmed over the last few decades , but its transfer efficiency have also undergone significant modifications due to changes in atmosphere and ocean dynamics at regional to large scales. The Nordic Seas (NS), in this regard, play a vital role as the major exchange of polar and sub-polar waters takes place in this region. Further, the AW and its significant modification on its way to AO via the Nordic Seas has large scale implications on e.g., deep water formation, air-sea heat fluxes. Previous studies have suggested that a change in the sub-polar gyre dynamics in the North Atlantic controls the AW anomalies that enter the NS and eventually end up in the AO. However, the role of NS dynamics in resulting in the modifications of these AW anomalies are not well studied. Here in this study, we show that the Nordic Seas are not only a passive conduit of AW anomalies but the ocean circulations in the Nordic Seas, particularly the Greenland Sea Gyre (GSG) circulation can significantly change the AW characteristics between the entry and exit point of AW in the NS. Further, it is shown that the change in GSG circulation can modify the AW heat distribution in the Nordic Seas and can potentially influence the sea ice concentration therein. Projected enhanced atmospheric forcing in the NS in a warming Arctic scenario and the warming trend of the AW can amplify the role of NS circulation in AW propagation and its impact on sea ice, freshwater budget and deep water formation.</p>

scholarly journals Effect of the North Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation on Changes in Climatic Conditions and River Flow in Poland

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dariusz Wrzesiński ◽  
Andrzej A. Marsz ◽  
Anna Styszyńska ◽  
Leszek Sobkowiak
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Cloud Cover ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Thermohaline Circulation ◽  
Sunshine Duration ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation

The purpose of this study is to find connections between the North Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation (NA THC), climate elements, such as cloud cover, precipitation, air temperature, sunshine duration, and relative humidity, and flow of rivers in Poland. The intensity of NA THC was characterized by the DG3L index, which was established to assess changes in the amount of heat transported by NA THC along with the transport of water to the Arctic. The paper explains and discusses the mechanism of impact of the NA THC changeability on the elements of the catchment water balance variability. The positive and negative phases of the DG3L index are strongly correlated with the heat anomalies in the upper layer of the North Atlantic waters. The obtained results show that changes of NA THC have significant impact on weather conditions and selected climate elements in Poland. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between the DG3L index and average annual air temperatures, particularly in April, July, and August, while negative between the DG3L index and the total cloud cover. Consequently, in the years with the positive values of the DG3L index, there are favorable conditions for the strong increase in evaporation and evapotranspiration from the ground surface. This has impact on flow of rivers in Poland, which shows considerable regional differences.

A satellite-based Lagrangian perspective on Atlantic Water fractionation in the Nordic Seas

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Léon Chafik ◽  
Sara Broomé
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Bottom Topography ◽  
Atlantic Water ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Fram Strait ◽  
Nordic Seas ◽  
The Barents Sea ◽  
The Arctic Ocean ◽  
Outer Branch

<p>The Arctic Ocean has been receiving more of the warm and saline Atlantic Water in the past decades. This water mass enters the Arctic Ocean via two Arctic gateways: the Barents Sea Opening and the Fram Strait. Here, we focus on the fractionation of Atlantic Water at these two gateways using a Lagrangian approach based on satellite-derived geostrophic velocities. Simulated particles are released at 70N at the inner and outer branch of the North Atlantic current system in the Nordic Seas. The trajectories toward the Fram Strait and Barents Sea Opening are found to be largely steered by the bottom topography and there is an indication of an anti-phase relationship in the number of particles reaching the gateways. There is, however, a significant cross-over of particles from the outer branch to the inner branch and into the Barents Sea, which is found to be related to high eddy kinetic energy between the branches. This cross-over may be important for Arctic climate variability.</p>

scholarly journals Deep-Water Flow over the Lomonosov Ridge in the Arctic Ocean

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1489-1493 ◽  
Author(s):  
M-L. Timmermans ◽  
P. Winsor ◽  
J. A. Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Thermohaline Circulation ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Volume Flow Rate ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Lomonosov Ridge ◽  
Geothermal Heat ◽  
The Arctic Ocean ◽  
Canadian Basin

Abstract The Arctic Ocean likely impacts global climate through its effect on the rate of deep-water formation and the subsequent influence on global thermohaline circulation. Here, the renewal of the deep waters in the isolated Canadian Basin is quanitified. Using hydraulic theory and hydrographic observations, the authors calculate the magnitude of this renewal where circumstances have thus far prevented direct measurements. A volume flow rate of Q = 0.25 ± 0.15 Sv (Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) from the Eurasian Basin to the Canadian Basin via a deep gap in the dividing Lomonosov Ridge is estimated. Deep-water renewal time estimates based on this flow are consistent with 14C isolation ages. The flow is sufficiently large that it has a greater impact on the Canadian Basin deep water than either the geothermal heat flux or diffusive fluxes at the deep-water boundaries.

scholarly journals Enhancement of the North Atlantic CO<sub>2</sub> sink by Arctic Waters

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 1689-1701
Author(s):  
Jon Olafsson ◽  
Solveig R. Olafsdottir ◽  
Taro Takahashi ◽  
Magnus Danielsen ◽  
Thorarinn S. Arnarson
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Thermohaline Circulation ◽  
Atlantic Water ◽  
Water Masses ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Water ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
Co2 Sink ◽  
The One

Abstract. The North Atlantic north of 50∘ N is one of the most intense ocean sink areas for atmospheric CO2 considering the flux per unit area, 0.27 Pg-C yr−1, equivalent to −2.5 mol C m−2 yr−1. The northwest Atlantic Ocean is a region with high anthropogenic carbon inventories. This is on account of processes which sustain CO2 air–sea fluxes, in particular strong seasonal winds, ocean heat loss, deep convective mixing, and CO2 drawdown by primary production. The region is in the northern limb of the global thermohaline circulation, a path for the long-term deep-sea sequestration of carbon dioxide. The surface water masses in the North Atlantic are of contrasting origins and character, with the northward-flowing North Atlantic Drift, a Gulf Stream offspring, on the one hand and on the other hand the cold southward-moving low-salinity Polar and Arctic waters with signatures from Arctic freshwater sources. We have studied by observation the CO2 air–sea flux of the relevant water masses in the vicinity of Iceland in all seasons and in different years. Here we show that the highest ocean CO2 influx is to the Arctic and Polar waters, respectively, -3.8±0.4 and -4.4±0.3 mol C m−2 yr−1. These waters are CO2 undersaturated in all seasons. The Atlantic Water is a weak or neutral sink, near CO2 saturation, after poleward drift from subtropical latitudes. These characteristics of the three water masses are confirmed by data from observations covering 30 years. We relate the Polar Water and Arctic Water persistent undersaturation and CO2 influx to the excess alkalinity derived from Arctic sources. Carbonate chemistry equilibrium calculations clearly indicate that the excess alkalinity may support at least 0.058 Pg-C yr−1, a significant portion of the North Atlantic CO2 sink. The Arctic contribution to the North Atlantic CO2 sink which we reveal was previously unrecognized. However, we point out that there are gaps and conflicts in the knowledge about the Arctic alkalinity and carbonate budgets and that future trends in the North Atlantic CO2 sink are connected to developments in the rapidly warming and changing Arctic. The results we present need to be taken into consideration for the following question: will the North Atlantic continue to absorb CO2 in the future as it has in the past?

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