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Long-term evolution of ocean eddy activity in a warming world

Author

Listed:
  • Nathan Beech

    (Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Thomas Rackow

    (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts)

  • Tido Semmler

    (Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Sergey Danilov

    (Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research
    Jacobs University)

  • Qiang Wang

    (Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Thomas Jung

    (Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research
    University of Bremen)

Abstract

Mesoscale ocean eddies, an important element of the climate system, impact ocean circulation, heat uptake, gas exchange, carbon sequestration and nutrient transport. Much of what is known about ongoing changes in ocean eddy activity is based on satellite altimetry; however, the length of the altimetry record is limited, making it difficult to distinguish anthropogenic change from natural variability. Using a climate model that exploits a variable-resolution unstructured mesh in the ocean component to enhance grid resolution in eddy-rich regions, we investigate the long-term response of ocean eddy activity to anthropogenic climate change. Eddy kinetic energy is projected to shift poleward in most eddy-rich regions, to intensify in the Kuroshio Current, Brazil and Malvinas currents and Antarctic Circumpolar Current and to decrease in the Gulf Stream. Modelled changes are linked to elements of the broader climate including Atlantic meridional overturning circulation decline, intensifying Agulhas leakage and shifting Southern Hemisphere westerlies.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathan Beech & Thomas Rackow & Tido Semmler & Sergey Danilov & Qiang Wang & Thomas Jung, 2022. "Long-term evolution of ocean eddy activity in a warming world," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 12(10), pages 910-917, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:12:y:2022:i:10:d:10.1038_s41558-022-01478-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-022-01478-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Hailin Wang & Bo Qiu & Hanrui Liu & Zhengguang Zhang, 2023. "Doubling of surface oceanic meridional heat transport by non-symmetry of mesoscale eddies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Adriana Dutkiewicz & Slah Boulila & R. Dietmar Müller, 2024. "Deep-sea hiatus record reveals orbital pacing by 2.4 Myr eccentricity grand cycles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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