Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation: Observed Transport and Variability.

Frajka-Williams, Eleanor, Ansorge, Isabelle J., Baehr, Johanna, Bryden, Harry L., Chidichimo, Maria Paz, Cunningham, Stuart A., Danabasoglu, Gokhan, Dong, Shenfu, Donohue, Kathleen A., Elipot, Shane, Heimbach, Patrick, Holliday, N. Penny, Hummels, Rebecca, Jackson, Laura C., Karstensen, Johannes , Lankhorst, Matthias, Le Bras, Isabela A., Lozier, M. Susan, McDonagh, Elaine L., Meinen, Christopher S., Mercier, Herlé, Moat, Bengamin I., Perez, Renellys C., Piecuch, Christopher G., Rhein, Monika, Srokosz, Meric A., Trenberth, Kevin E., Bacon, Sheldon, Forget, Gael, Goni, Gustavo, Kieke, Dagmar, Koelling, Jannes, Lamont, Tarron, McCarthy, Gerard D., Mertens, Christian, Send, Uwe, Smeed, David A., Speich, Sabrina, van den Berg, Marcel, Volkov, Denis and Wilson, Chris (2019) Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation: Observed Transport and Variability. Open Access Frontiers in Marine Science, 6 . Art.Nr. 260. DOI 10.3389/fmars.2019.00260.

[thumbnail of fmars-06-00260.pdf]
Preview
Text
fmars-06-00260.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0.

Download (1MB) | Preview
[thumbnail of Data_Sheet_1_Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation_ Observed Transport and Variability.pdf]
Preview
Text
Data_Sheet_1_Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation_ Observed Transport and Variability.pdf - Supplemental Material
Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0.

Download (136kB) | Preview

Supplementary data:

Abstract

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) extends from the Southern Ocean to the northern North Atlantic, transporting heat northwards throughout the South and North Atlantic, and sinking carbon and nutrients into the deep ocean. Climate models indicate that changes to the AMOC both herald and drive climate shifts. Intensive trans-basin AMOC observational systems have been put in place to continuously monitor meridional volume transport variability, and in some cases, heat, freshwater and carbon transport. These observational programs have been used to diagnose the magnitude and origins of transport variability, and to investigate impacts of variability on essential climate variables such as sea surface temperature, ocean heat content and coastal sea level. AMOC observing approaches vary between the different systems, ranging from trans-basin arrays (OSNAP, RAPID 26 degrees N, 11 degrees S, SAMBA 34.5 degrees S) to arrays concentrating on western boundaries (e.g., RAPID WAVE, MOVE 16 degrees N). In this paper, we outline the different approaches (aims, strengths and limitations) and summarize the key results to date. We also discuss alternate approaches for capturing AMOC variability including direct estimates (e.g., using sea level, bottom pressure, and hydrography from autonomous profiling floats), indirect estimates applying budgetary approaches, state estimates or ocean reanalyses, and proxies. Based on the existing observations and their results, and the potential of new observational and formal synthesis approaches, we make suggestions as to how to evaluate a comprehensive, future-proof observational network of the AMOC to deepen our understanding of the AMOC and its role in global climate.

Document Type: Article
Funder compliance: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/308299 ; info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/727852 ; info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/678760 ; info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/633211
Keywords: meridional overturning circulation; thermohaline circulation; observing systems; ocean heat transport; carbon storage; moorings; circulation variability
Research affiliation: MARUM
Scripps
NOC
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB1 Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics > FB1-PO Physical Oceanography
Woods Hole
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: Yes
Publisher: Frontiers
Projects: AtlantOS, Blue-Action, RACE, NACLIM, ATLAS, RAPID, MOCHA, AMOC, SAMOC
Date Deposited: 27 Jun 2019 07:44
Last Modified: 31 Jan 2022 09:22
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/47019

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item