Influence of the Atlantic Subpolar Gyre on the Thermohaline Circulation
University of the Faroe Islands · University of Washington · +6 more institutions
Abstract
During the past decade, record-high salinities have been observed in the Atlantic Inflow to the Nordic Seas and the Arctic Ocean, which feeds the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation (THC). This may counteract the observed long-term increase in freshwater supply to the area and tend to stabilize the North Atlantic THC. Here we show that the salinity of the Atlantic Inflow is tightly linked to the dynamics of the North Atlantic subpolar gyre circulation. Therefore, when assessing the future of the North Atlantic THC, it is essential that the dynamics of the subpolar gyre and its influence on the salinity are taken into account.
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 22.55
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 20
Authors
5- HHHjálmar HátúnCorresponding
University of the Faroe Islands, University of Washington, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory, Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, University of Bergen
- ABAnne Britt Sandø
University of the Faroe Islands, University of Washington, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory, Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, University of Bergen
- HDHelge Drange
University of the Faroe Islands, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Washington, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, University of Bergen
- BHBogi Hansen
University of the Faroe Islands, University of Washington, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory, Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, University of Bergen
- HVHéðinn Valdimarsson
University of the Faroe Islands, University of Washington, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory, Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, University of Bergen
Topics & keywords
- Ocean gyre
- Thermohaline circulation
- Oceanography
- North Atlantic Deep Water
- Shutdown of thermohaline circulation
- Atlantic Equatorial mode
- Atlantic multidecadal oscillation
- Gulf Stream
- Life below water