Deep water formation, the subpolar gyre, and the meridional overturning circulation in the subpolar North Atlantic

Deep-Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography

Volumn 58, Issue 17-18, 2011, Pages 1819-1832

  Rhein, Monika ^a   Kieke, Dagmar ^a   Hüttl Kabus, Sabine ^a,b   Roessler, Achim ^a   Mertens, Christian ^a   Meissner, Robert ^a   Klein, Birgit ^b   Böning, Claus W ^c   Yashayaev, Igor ^d  

^a UNIVERSITY OF BREMEN   (Germany)

^b FEDERAL MARITIME AND HYDROGRAPHIC AGENCY   (Germany)

^c GEOMAR HELMHOLTZ CENTRE FOR OCEAN RESEARCH KIEL   (Germany)

^d BEDFORD INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY   (Canada)

Author keywords

Deep water formation; Overturning circulation; Subpolar gyre transport

Indexed keywords

COMBINED ANALYSIS; DEEP-WATER FORMATION; HEAT TRANSPORT; INTERANNUAL; LONG TERM MONITORING; MERIDIONAL OVERTURNING CIRCULATIONS; MODEL RESULTS; MODEL SIMULATION; NORTH ATLANTIC; OVERTURNING CIRCULATION; SPATIAL SCALE; STILL MISSING; SUBPOLAR GYRES; SUBPOLAR NORTH ATLANTIC; VOLUME TRANSPORT;

COMPUTER SIMULATION; TIME SERIES;

OCEANOGRAPHY;

DEEP WATER FORMATION; GYRE; HEAT TRANSFER; MERIDIONAL CIRCULATION; NUMERICAL MODEL; OVERTURN; SPATIOTEMPORAL ANALYSIS; THERMOHALINE CIRCULATION; TIME SERIES; VELOCITY PROFILE; VOLUME TRANSPORT;

ATLANTIC OCEAN; ATLANTIC OCEAN (NORTH);

EID: 79960335284     PISSN: 09670645     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.dsr2.2010.10.061     Document Type: Article

References (65)

1. Baehr J., Hirschi J., Beismann J.-O., Marotzke J. Monitoring the meridional overturning circulation in the North Atlantic: a model-based array design study. J. Mar. Res. 2004, 62(3):283-312.
2. Barnier B., Siefridt L., Marchesiello P. Thermal forcing for a global ocean circulation model using a three-year climatology of ECMWF analysis. J. Mar. Systems 1995, 6(4):363-380.
3. Biastoch A., Böning C.W., Getzlaff J., Molines J.-M., Madec G. Causes of interannual-decadal variability in the meridional overturning circulation of the mid-latitude North Atlantic Ocean. J. Clim. 2008, 21(24):6599-6615.
4. Böhme L., Send U. Objective analysis of hydrographic data for referencing profiling float salinities in highly variable environments. Deep-Sea Res. II 2005, 52(3-4):651-664.
5. Böning C.W., Rhein M., Dengg J., Dorow C. Modeling CFC inventories and formation rates of Labrador Sea Water. Geophys. Res. Lett. 2003, 30:2. 10.1029/2002GL04885.
6. Böning C.W., Scheinert M., Dengg J., Biastoch A., Funk A. Decadal variability of subpolar gyre transport and its reverberation in the North Atlantic overturning. Geophys. Res. Lett. 2006, 33:L21S01. 10.1029/2006GL026906.
7. Bower A.S., Lozier S.M., Gary S.F., Böning C.W. Interior pathways of the North Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. Nature 2009, 459:243-247.
8. Bower A.S., von Appen W.-J. Interannual variability in the pathways of the North Atlantic Current over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the impact of topography. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 2008, 38(1):104-120.
9. Boyer T.P., Levitus S. Objective analyses of temperature and salinity for the world ocean on a 1/4 degree grid. NOAA Atlas NESDIS 11 1997, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.
10. Brambilla E., Talley L.D. Surface drifter exchange between the North Atlantic subtropical and subpolar gyres. J. Geophys. Res. 2006, 111:C07026. 10.1029/2005JC003146.
11. Brandt P., Funk A., Czeschel L., Eden C., Böning C.W. Ventilation and transformation of Labrador Sea Water and its rapid export in the deep Labrador Current. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 2007, 37(4):946-961.
12. Cunningham S.A. Circulation and volume flux of the North Atlantic using synoptic hydrographic data in a Bernoulli inverse. J. Mar. Res. 2000, 58(1):1-35.
13. Cunningham S.A., et al. Temporal variability of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation at 26.5°N. Science 2007, 317:935-938.
14. Curry R.G., McCartney M.S. Ocean gyre circulation changes associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 2001, 31(12):3374-3400.
15. Dengg, J., Böning, C.W., Ernst, U., Redler, R., Beckmann, A., 1999. Effects of an improved model representation of overflow water on the subpolar North Atlantic. International WOCE Newsletter, No. 37, WOCE International Project Office, Southampton, United Kingdom, pp. 10-15.
16. Eden C. Eddy length scales in the North Atlantic Ocean. J. Geophys. Res. 2007, 112:C06004. 10.1029/2006JC003901.
17. Eden C., Böning C.W. Sources of eddy kinetic energy in the Labrador Sea. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 2002, 32(2):3346-3363.
18. Fine R.A., Rhein M., Andrié C. Using a CFC effective age to estimate propagation and storage of climate anomalies in the deep western North Atlantic Ocean. Geophys. Res. Lett. 2002, 29(24):2227. 10.1029/2002GL015618.
19. Getzlaff J, Böning C.W., Eden C., Biastoch A. Signal propagation related to the North Atlantic overturning. Geophys. Res. Lett. 2005, 32:L09602. 10.1029/2004GL021002.
20. Getzlaff K., Böning C.W., Dengg J. Lagrangian perspectives of deep water export from the subpolar North Atlantic. Geophys. Res. Lett. 2006, 33:L21S08. 10.1029/2006GL02744.
21. Gil J., Sánchez R., Cerviño S., Garabana D. Geostrophic circulation and heat flux across the Flemish Cap, 1988-2000. J. Northwest Atl. Fish. Sci. 2004, 34:63-83.
22. Gregory J.M., et al. A model intercomparison of changes in the Atlantic thermohaline circulation in response to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Geophys. Res. Lett. 2005, 32:L12703. 10.1029/2005GL023209.
23. Häkkinen S. Variability in sea surface height: a qualitative measure for the meridional overturning in the North Atlantic. J. Geophys. Res. 2001, 106:837-848.
24. Häkkinen S., Rhines P.B. Shifting surface currents in the northern North Atlantic Ocean. J. Geophys. Res. 2009, 114:C04005. 10.1029/2008JC004883.
25. Häkkinen S., Rhines P.B. Decline of subpolar North Atlantic circulation during the 1990s. Science 2004, 304:555-559.
26. Häkkinen S., Hatun H., Rhines P.B. Satellite evidence of change in the northern gyre. Arctic-Subarctic Ocean Fluxes 2008, Springer Verlag. R.R. Dickson, J. Meincke, P.B. Rhines (Eds.).
27. Henson S.A., Thomas A.C. A census of oceanic anticyclonic eddies in the Gulf of Alaska. Deep-Sea Res. I 2008, 55:163-176.
28. Jones P.D., Jonsson T., Wheeler D. Extension of the North Atlantic oscillation using early instrumental pressure observations from Gibraltar and south-west Iceland. Int. J. Climatol. 1997, 17(13):1433-1450.
29. Käse R.H., Krauss W. The Gulf Stream, the North Atlantic Current, and the origin of the Azores Current. The Warmwatersphere of the North Atlantic Ocean 1996, 291-338. Gebruder Borntraeger, (Chapter 10). W. Krauss (Ed.).
30. Kalnay E., et al. The NCEP/NCAR 40-year reanalysis project. Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc. 1996, 77(3):437-471.
31. Kanzow T., Johnson H., Marshall D., Cunningham S.A., Hirschi J.J.-M., Mujahid A., Bryden H.L., Johns W.E. Basin-wide integrated volume transports in an eddy-filled ocean. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 2009, 39(12):3091-3110.
32. Kieke D., Rhein M., Stramma L., Smethie W.M., LeBel D.A., Zenk W. Changes in the CFC inventories and formation rates of Upper Labrador Sea Water, 1997-2001. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 2006, 36(1):64-86.
33. Kieke D., Rhein M., Stramma L., Smethie W.M., Bullister J.L., LeBel D.A. Changes in the pool of Labrador Sea Water in the subpolar North Atlantic. Geophys. Res. Lett. 2007, 34:L06605. 10.1029/2006GL028959.
34. Kieke D., Klein B., Stramma L., Rhein M., Koltermann K.P. Variability and propagation of Labrador Sea Water in the southern subpolar North Atlantic. Deep-Sea Res. I 2009, 56(20):1656-1674.
35. Koltermann K.P., Sokov A.V., Tereschenkov V.P., Dobroliubov S.A., Lorbacher K., Sy A. Decadal changes in the thermohaline circulation of the North Atlantic. Deep-Sea Res. II 1999, 46(1-2):109-138.
36. Krauss W., Döscher R., Lehmann A., Viehoff T. On eddy scales in the eastern and northern North Atlantic Ocean as a function of latitude. J. Geophys. Res. 1990, 95(C10):18049-18056.
37. Landerer F.W., Jungclaus J.H., Marotzke J. Regional dynamic and steric sea level change in response to the IPCC-A1B scenario. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 2007, 37:296-310.
38. Lazier J., Hendry R., Clarke A., Yashayaev I., Rhines P. Convection and restratification in the Labrador Sea, 1990-2000. Deep-Sea Res. I 2002, 49(10):1819-1835.
39. Levermann A., Griesel A., Hofmann M., Montoya M., Rahmstorf S. Dynamic sea level changes following changes in the thermohaline circulation. Clim. Dyn. 2005, 24(4):347-354.
40. Levitus S., Boyer T.P. World Ocean Atlas 1994, vol. 4: Temperature. NOAA Atlas NESDIS 4 1994, NOAA, Washington, DC.
41. Lherminier P., Mercier H., Gourcuff C., Alvarez M., Bacon S., Kermabon C. Transports across the 2002 Greenland-Portugal Ovide section and comparison with 1997. J. Geophys. Res. 2007, 112:C07003. 10.1029/2006JC003716.
42. Lorbacher K., Koltermann K.P. Subinertial variability of transport estimates across 48°N in the North Atlantic. Int. WOCE Newsletter 2000, 40:3-5.
43. Lumpkin R., Speer K.G., Koltermann K.P. Transport across 48°N in the Atlantic Ocean. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 2008, 38(4):733-752.
44. Meehl G., et al. Global climate projections. Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis 2007, 747-846. Cambridge University Press. S. Solomon (Ed.).
45. Meinen C.S. Structure of the North Atlantic Current in stream-coordinates and the circulation in the Newfoundland Basin. Deep-Sea Res. I 2001, 48(7):1553-1580.
46. Meinen C.S., Watts D.R. Vertical structure and transport on a transect across the North Atlantic Current near 42°N: time series and mean. J. Geophys. Res. 2000, 105(C9):21869-21891.
47. Meinen C.S., Watts D.R., Clarke R.A. Absolutely referenced geostropic velocity and transport on a section across the North Atlantic Current. Deep-Sea Res. I 2000, 47(2):309-322.
48. Mertens C., Rhein M., Walter M., Kirchner K. Modulation of the inflow into the Caribbean Sea by North Brazil Current rings. Deep-Sea Res. 1 2009, 56(7):1057-1076.
49. Owens W.B., Wong A.P.S. An improved calibration method for the drift of the conductivity sensor on autonomous CTD profiling floats by T-S climatology. Deep-Sea Res. I 2009, 56(3):450-457.
50. Paillet J., Mercier H. An inverse model of the eastern North Atlantic general circulation and thermocline ventilation. Deep-Sea Res. 1997, 44(8):1293-1328.
51. Paillet J., Arhan M., McCartney M.S. Spreading of Labrador Sea Water in the eastern North Atlantic. J. Geophys. Res. 1998, 103(C5):10223-10239.
52. Perez-Brunius P., Rossby T., Watts D.R. Absolute transports of mass and temperature for the North Atlantic Current-Subpolar front system. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 2004, 34(8):1870-1883.
53. Read J.F., Pollard R.T., Miller T.J., Dale A.C. Circulation and variability of the North Atlantic Current in the vicinity of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Deep-Sea Res. I 2010, 57(3):307-318.
54. Rhein M., Fischer J., Smethie W.M., Smythe-Wright D., Weiss R.F., Mertens C., Min D.H., Fleischmann U., Putzka A. Labrador Sea Water: pathways, CFC-inventory and formation rates. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 2002, 32(2):648-665.
55. Rossby T. The North Atlantic current and surrounding waters: at the crossroads. Rev. Geophys. 1996, 34:463-481.
56. Rossby T., Prater M.D. On variations in static stability along Lagrangian trajectories. Deep-Sea Res. II 2005, 52(3-4):465-479.
57. Schott F.A., Zantopp R., Stramma L., Dengler M., Fischer J., Wibaux M. Circulation and deep-water export at the western exit of the subpolar North Atlantic. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 2004, 34(4):817-843.
58. Steinfeldt R., Rhein M., Bullister J.L., Tanhua T. Inventory changes in anthropogenic carbon between 1997 and 2003 in the Atlantic ocean between 20°S and 65°N. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 2009, 23:GB3010. 10.1029/2008GB003311.
59. Stouffer R.J., et al. Investigating the causes of the response of the thermohaline circulation to past and future climate changes. J. Clim. 2006, 19(8):1365-1386.
60. Stramma L., Kieke D., Rhein M., Schott F., Yashayaev I., Koltermann K.P. Deep Water changes at the western boundary of the subpolar North Atlantic during 1996 to 2001. Deep-Sea Res. I 2004, 51(8):1033-1056.
61. Visbeck M. Deep velocity profiling using lowered acoustic Doppler current profilers: bottom track and inverse solutions. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol. 2002, 19:794-807.
62. Watts D.R., Kontoyiannis H. Deep-ocean bottom pressure measurement-drift removal and performance. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol. 1990, 7(2):296-306.
63. Willebrand J., et al. Circulation characteristics in three eddy-permitting models of the North Atlantic. Prog. Oceanogr. 2001, 48(2-3):123-161.
64. Yaremchuk M.I., Nechaev D.A., Thompson K.R. Seasonal variation of the North Atlantic Current. J. Geophys. Res. 2001, 106(C4):6835-6851.
65. Yashayaev I., Loder J.W. Enhanced production of Labrador Sea in 2008. Geophys. Res. Lett. 2009, 36:L01606. 10.1029/2008GL036162.