Projects per year
Abstract
Water mass transformation in the Nordic and Barents Seas, triggered by air-sea heat fluxes, is an integral component of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). These regions are undergoing rapid warming, associated with a retreat in ice cover. Here we present an analysis covering 1950−2020 of the spatiotemporal variability of the air-sea heat fluxes along the region’s boundary currents, where water mass transformation impacts are large. We find there is an increase in the air-sea heat fluxes along these currents that is a function of the currents’ orientation relative to the axis of sea-ice change suggesting enhanced water mass transformation is occurring. Previous work has shown a reduction in heat fluxes in the interior of the Nordic Seas. As a result, a reorganization seems to be underway in where water mass transformation occurs, that needs to be considered when ascertaining how the AMOC will respond to a warming climate.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 67 |
Journal | Nature Communications |
Volume | 13 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 10 Jan 2022 |
Projects
- 1 Finished
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AFIS - Atmospheric Forcing of the Iceland Sea
Bracegirdle, T., Renfrew, I., Cope, A., Lachlan-Cope, T., Elvidge, A. & Macdonald, A.
Natural Environment Research Council
1/10/16 → 31/03/21
Project: Research