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Title: Coupling of the mid-depth and abyssal components of the global overturning circulation according to a state estimate
Using velocities from a state estimate, Lagrangian analysis maps the global routes of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) exiting the Atlantic and reentering the upper branch of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Virtual particle trajectories followed for 8100 years highlight an upper route (32%) and a lower route (68%). The latter samples σ 2 > 37.07 and is further divided into subpolar (20%) and abyssal cells (48%). Particles in the abyssal cell detour into the abyssal North Pacific before upwelling in the Southern Ocean. NADW preferentially upwells north of 33°S (67%). Total diapycnal transformations are largest in the lower route but of comparable magnitudes in the upper route, challenging its previous characterization as “adiabatic.” Typical transit times are 300, 700, and 3600 years for the upper route, subpolar, and abyssal cells, respectively. The AMOC imports salinity into the Atlantic, indicating its potential instability to high-latitude freshwater perturbations.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1634128
PAR ID:
10298791
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Science Advances
Volume:
7
Issue:
21
ISSN:
2375-2548
Page Range / eLocation ID:
eabf5478
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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