scholarly journals What Fraction of the Pacific and Indian Oceans' Deep Water is formed in the North Atlantic?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. B. Rae ◽  
Wally Broecker
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Bottom Water ◽  
Ocean Bottom ◽  
The North ◽  
Water Value ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Northern Atlantic ◽  
The North Atlantic

Abstract. In this contribution we explore constraints on the fractions of deep water present in Indian and Pacific Oceans which originated in the northern Atlantic and in the Southern Ocean. Based on PO4* we show that if ventilated Antarctic shelf waters characterize the Southern contribution, then the proportions are close to 50–50. If instead a Southern Ocean bottom water value is used, the Southern contribution is increased to 75 %. While this larger estimate may characterize the volume of water entering the Indo-Pacific from the Southern Ocean, it contains a significant portion of entrained northern water. We also note that ventilation may be highly tracer dependent: for instance Southern Ocean waters may contribute only 35 % of the deep radiocarbon budget, even if their volumetric contribution is 75 %. In our estimation, the most promising approaches involve using CFC-11 to constrain the amount of deep water formed in the Southern Ocean.

scholarly journals What fraction of the Pacific and Indian oceans' deep water is formed in the Southern Ocean?

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 3779-3794 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. B. Rae ◽  
Wally Broecker
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Bottom Water ◽  
Deep Ocean ◽  
Ocean Bottom ◽  
Biological Pump ◽  
Water Value ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Northern Atlantic

Abstract. In this contribution we explore constraints on the fractions of deep water present in the Indian and Pacific oceans which originated in the northern Atlantic and in the Southern Ocean. Based on PO4* we show that if ventilated Antarctic shelf waters characterize the Southern contribution, then the proportions could be close to 50–50. If instead a Southern Ocean bottom water value is used, the Southern contribution is increased to 75 %. While this larger estimate may best characterize the volume of water entering the Indo-Pacific from the Southern Ocean, it contains a significant portion of entrained northern water. We also note that ventilation may be highly tracer dependent: for instance Southern Ocean waters may contribute only 35 % of the deep radiocarbon budget, even if their volumetric contribution is 75 %. In our estimation, the most promising approaches involve using CFC-11 to constrain the amount of deep water formed in the Southern Ocean. Finally, we highlight the broad utility of PO4* as a tracer of deep water masses, including descending plumes of Antarctic Bottom Water and large-scale patterns of deep ocean mixing, and as a tracer of the efficiency of the biological pump.

scholarly journals Assimilation of Radiocarbon and Chlorofluorocarbon Data to Constrain Deep and Bottom Water Transports in the World Ocean

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reiner Schlitzer
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Bottom Water ◽  
World Ocean ◽  
Weddell Sea ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Western Boundary ◽  
Boundary Current ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic

Abstract A coarse-resolution global model with time-invariant circulation is fitted to hydrographic and tracer data by means of the adjoint method. Radiocarbon and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC-11 and CFC-12) data are included to constrain deep and bottom water transport rates and spreading pathways as well as the strength of the global overturning circulation. It is shown that realistic global ocean distributions of hydrographic parameters and tracers can be obtained simultaneously. The model correctly reproduces the deep ocean radiocarbon field and the concentrations gradients between different basins. The spreading of CFC plumes in the deep and bottom waters is simulated in a realistic way, and the spatial extent as well as the temporal evolution of these plumes agrees well with observations. Radiocarbon and CFC observations place upper bounds on the northward transports of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) into the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Long-term mean AABW transports larger than 5 Sv (Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) through the Vema and Hunter Channels in the South Atlantic and net AABW transports across 30°S into the Indian Ocean larger than 10 Sv are found to be incompatible with CFC data. The rates of equatorward deep and bottom water transports from the North Atlantic and Southern Ocean are of similar magnitude (15.7 Sv at 50°N and 17.9 Sv at 50°S). Deep and bottom water formation in the Southern Ocean occurs at multiple sites around the Antarctic continent and is not confined to the Weddell Sea. A CFC forecast based on the assumption of unchanged abyssal transports shows that by 2030 the entire deep west Atlantic exhibits CFC-11 concentrations larger than 0.1 pmol kg−1, while most of the deep Indian and Pacific Oceans remain CFC free. By 2020 the predicted CFC concentrations in the deep western boundary current (DWBC) in the North Atlantic exceed surface water concentrations and the vertical CFC gradients start to reverse.

Circumpolar Deep Water Circulation and Variability in a Coupled Climate Model

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 1523-1552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agus Santoso ◽  
Matthew H. England ◽  
Anthony C. Hirst
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Coupled Climate Model ◽  
Circumpolar Deep Water ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic

Abstract The natural variability of Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) is analyzed using a long-term integration of a coupled climate model. The variability is decomposed using a standard EOF analysis into three separate modes accounting for 68% and 82% of the total variance in the upper and lower CDW layers, respectively. The first mode exhibits an interbasin-scale variability on multicentennial time scales, originating in the North Atlantic and flowing southward into the Southern Ocean via North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). Salinity dipole anomalies appear to propagate around the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation on these time scales with the strengthening and weakening of NADW formation. The anomaly propagates northward from the midlatitude subsurface of the South Atlantic and sinks in the North Atlantic before flowing southward along the CDW isopycnal layers. This suggests an interhemispheric connection in the generation of the first CDW variability mode. The second mode shows a localized θ−S variability in the Brazil–Malvinas confluence zone on multidecadal to centennial time scales. Heat and salt budget analyses reveal that this variability is controlled by meridional advection driven by fluctuations in the strength of the Deep Western Boundary and the Malvinas Currents. The third mode suggests an Antarctic Intermediate Water source in the South Pacific contributing to variability in upper CDW. It is further found that NADW formation is mainly buoyancy driven on the time scales resolved, with only a weak connection with Southern Hemisphere winds. On the other hand, Southern Hemisphere winds have a more direct influence on the rate of NADW outflow into the Southern Ocean. The model’s spatial pattern of θ−S variability is consistent with the limited observational record in the Southern Hemisphere. However, some observations of decadal CDW θ−S changes are beyond that seen in the model in its unperturbed state.

Stability of Antarctic Bottom Water Formation to Freshwater Fluxes and Implications for Global Climate

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 3310-3326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Trevena ◽  
Willem P. Sijp ◽  
Matthew H. England
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Bottom Water ◽  
Ekman Transport ◽  
Antarctic Bottom Water ◽  
The North ◽  
Control Climate ◽  
Freshwater Fluxes ◽  
The North Atlantic

Abstract The stability of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) to freshwater (FW) perturbations is investigated in a coupled climate model of intermediate complexity. It is found that AABW is stable to surface freshwater fluxes greater in volume and rate to those that permanently “shut down” North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). Although AABW weakens during FW forcing, it fully recovers within 50 yr of termination of FW input. This is due in part to a concurrent deep warming during AABW suppression that acts to eventually destabilize the water column. In addition, the prevailing upwelling of Circumpolar Deep Water and northward Ekman transport across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, regulated by the subpolar westerly winds, limits the accumulation of FW at high latitudes and provides a mechanism for resalinizing the surface after the FW forcing has ceased. Enhanced sea ice production in the cooler AABW suppressed state also aids in the resalinization of the surface after FW forcing is stopped. Convection then restarts with AABW properties only slightly colder and fresher compared to the unperturbed control climate state. Further experiments with larger FW perturbations and very slow application rates (0.2 Sv/1000 yr) (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) confirm the lack of multiple steady states of AABW in the model. This contrasts with the North Atlantic, wherein classical hysteresis behavior is obtained with similar forcing. The climate response to reduced AABW production is also investigated. During peak FW forcing, Antarctic surface sea and air temperatures decrease by a maximum of 2.5° and 2.2°C, respectively. This is of a similar magnitude to the corresponding response in the North Atlantic. Although in the final steady state, the AABW experiment returns to the original control climate, whereas the North Atlantic case transitions to a different steady state characterized by substantial regional cooling (up to 6.0°C surface air temperature).

Traits structure copepod niches in the North Atlantic and Southern Ocean

2018 ◽  
Vol 601 ◽  
pp. 109-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
N McGinty ◽  
AD Barton ◽  
NR Record ◽  
ZV Finkel ◽  
AJ Irwin
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic

Late Quaternary palaeo-oceanography of the Denmark Strait overflow pathway, South-East Greenland margin

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 ◽  
pp. 163-167
Author(s):  
Antoon Kuijpers ◽  
Jørn Bo Jensen ◽  
Simon R . Troelstra ◽  
And shipboard scientific party of RV Professor Logachev and RV Dana
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Conveyor Belt ◽  
Water Masses ◽  
Labrador Sea ◽  
Greenland Sea ◽  
The North ◽  
Denmark Strait ◽  
The North Atlantic

Direct interaction between the atmosphere and the deep ocean basins takes place today only in the Southern Ocean near the Antarctic continent and in the northern extremity of the North Atlantic Ocean, notably in the Norwegian–Greenland Sea and Labrador Sea. Cooling and evaporation cause surface waters in the latter region to become dense and sink. At depth, further mixing occurs with Arctic water masses from adjacent polar shelves. Export of these water masses from the Norwegian–Greenland Sea (Norwegian Sea Overflow Water) to the North Atlantic basin occurs via two major gateways, the Denmark Strait system and the Faeroe– Shetland Channel and Faeroe Bank Channel system (e.g. Dickson et al. 1990; Fig.1). Deep convection in the Labrador Sea produces intermediate waters (Labrador Sea Water), which spreads across the North Atlantic. Deep waters thus formed in the North Atlantic (North Atlantic Deep Water) constitute an essential component of a global ‘conveyor’ belt extending from the North Atlantic via the Southern and Indian Oceans to the Pacific. Water masses return as a (warm) surface water flow. In the North Atlantic this is the Gulf Stream and the relatively warm and saline North Atlantic Current. Numerous palaeo-oceanographic studies have indicated that climatic changes in the North Atlantic region are closely related to changes in surface circulation and in the production of North Atlantic Deep Water. Abrupt shut-down of the ocean-overturning and subsequently of the conveyor belt is believed to represent a potential explanation for rapid climate deterioration at high latitudes, such as those that caused the Quaternary ice ages. Here it should be noted, that significant changes in deep convection in Greenland waters have also recently occurred. While in the Greenland Sea deep water formation over the last decade has drastically decreased, a strong increase of deep convection has simultaneously been observed in the Labrador Sea (Sy et al. 1997).

Seasonal Analysis of Air-Sea CO2 Flux Variability in the North Atlantic and the Southern Ocean 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paridhi Rustogi ◽  
Peter Landschuetzer ◽  
Sebastian Brune ◽  
Johanna Baehr
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Observational Data ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Seasonal Variability ◽  
Max Planck ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Atlantic Basin ◽  
North Atlantic Basin ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic

<p>Understanding the variability and drivers of air-sea CO<span><sub>2</sub></span> fluxes on seasonal timescales is critical for resolving the ocean carbon sink's evolution and variability. Here, we investigate whether discrepancies in the representation of air-sea CO<span><sub>2</sub></span> fluxes on a seasonal timescale accumulate to influence the representation of CO<span><sub>2</sub></span> fluxes on an interannual timescale in two important ocean CO<span><sub>2 </sub></span>sink regions – the North Atlantic basin and the Southern Ocean. Using an observation-based product (SOM-FFN) as a reference, we investigate the representation of air-sea CO<span><sub>2</sub></span> fluxes in the Max Planck Institute's Earth System Model Grand Ensemble (MPI-ESM GE). Additionally, we include a simulation based on the same model configuration, where observational data from the atmosphere and ocean components is assimilated (EnKF assimilation) to verify if the inclusion of observational data alters the model state significantly and if the updated modelled CO<span><sub>2 </sub></span>flux values better represent observations.</p><p>We find agreement between all three observation-based and model products on an interannual timescale for the North Atlantic basin. However, the agreement on a seasonal timescale is inconsistent with discrepancies as large as 0.26 PgC/yr in boreal autumn in the North Atlantic. In the Southern Ocean, we find little agreement between the three products on an interannual basis with significant seasonal discrepancies as large as 1.71 PgC/yr in austral winter. However, while we identify regional patterns of dominating seasonal variability in MPI-GE and EnKF, we find that the SOM-FFN cannot demonstrate robust conclusions on the relevance of seasonal variability in the Southern Ocean. In turn, we cannot pin down the problems for this region.</p>

First record of the deep-water whalefish Cetichthys indagator (Actinopterygii: Cetomimidae) in the North Atlantic Ocean

2012 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 1133-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Vieira ◽  
B. Christiansen ◽  
S. Christiansen ◽  
J. M. S. Gonçalves
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
North Atlantic Ocean ◽  
First Record ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic

scholarly journals Flow of Antarctic Bottom Water from the Vema Channel 

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene G Morozov ◽  
Dmitry I. Frey ◽  
Roman Y. Tarakanov
Keyword(s):  
Continental Slope ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Bottom Water ◽  
The Other ◽  
Antarctic Bottom Water ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
Current Flows ◽  
Western Wall

Abstract We analyze measurements of bottom currents and thermohaline properties of water north of the Vema Channel with the goal to find pathway continuations of Antarctic Bottom Water flow from the Vema Channel into the Brazil Basin. The analysis is based on CTD/LADCP casts north of the Vema Channel. The flow in the deep Vema Channel consists of two branches. The deepest current flows along the bottom in the center of the channel and the other branch flows above the western wall of the channel. We found two smaller channels of the northern continuation of the deeper bottom flow. These flows become weak and almost disappear at a latitude of 25°30’S. The upper current flows at a depth of 4100-4200 m along the continental slope. We traced this current up to 24°S over a distance exceeding 250 km. This branch transports bottom water that eventually fills the deep basins of the North Atlantic.

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