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Evidence for large-scale climate forcing of dense shelf water variability in the Ross Sea

Author

Listed:
  • Zhaoru Zhang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Polar Research Institute of China, Ministry of Natural Resources)

  • Chuan Xie

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Pasquale Castagno

    (University of Messina)

  • Matthew H. England

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Xiaoqiao Wang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Michael S. Dinniman

    (Old Dominion University)

  • Alessandro Silvano

    (National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton)

  • Chuning Wang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Lei Zhou

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Xichen Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Meng Zhou

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Polar Research Institute of China, Ministry of Natural Resources)

  • Giorgio Budillon

    (Parthenope University)

Abstract

Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), which supplies the lower limb of the thermohaline circulation, originates from dense shelf water (DSW) forming in Antarctic polynyas. Here, combining a long mooring record of DSW measurements with numerical simulations and satellite data, we show that significant correlation exists between interannual variability of DSW production in the Ross Sea polynyas, where DSW contributes between 20–40% of the global AABW production, and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). The correlation is largest when the Amundsen Sea Low (ASL) is weakened and shifted east of the Ross Sea. During positive SAM phases, enhanced offshore winds and lower air temperatures over the western Ross Sea increase sea ice production and promote DSW formation, with the opposite response during negative SAM phases. These processes ultimately modulate AABW thickness in the open ocean. A projected positive shift of the SAM and eastward displacement of the ASL thus has implications for the future of DSW and AABW formation.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhaoru Zhang & Chuan Xie & Pasquale Castagno & Matthew H. England & Xiaoqiao Wang & Michael S. Dinniman & Alessandro Silvano & Chuning Wang & Lei Zhou & Xichen Li & Meng Zhou & Giorgio Budillon, 2024. "Evidence for large-scale climate forcing of dense shelf water variability in the Ross Sea," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-52524-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52524-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pasquale Castagno & Vincenzo Capozzi & Giacomo R. DiTullio & Pierpaolo Falco & Giannetta Fusco & Stephen R. Rintoul & Giancarlo Spezie & Giorgio Budillon, 2019. "Rebound of shelf water salinity in the Ross Sea," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-6, December.
    2. Ethan C. Campbell & Earle A. Wilson & G. W. Kent Moore & Stephen C. Riser & Casey E. Brayton & Matthew R. Mazloff & Lynne D. Talley, 2019. "Antarctic offshore polynyas linked to Southern Hemisphere climate anomalies," Nature, Nature, vol. 570(7761), pages 319-325, June.
    3. Kathryn L. Gunn & Stephen R. Rintoul & Matthew H. England & Melissa M. Bowen, 2023. "Recent reduced abyssal overturning and ventilation in the Australian Antarctic Basin," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 13(6), pages 537-544, June.
    4. Qian Li & Matthew H. England & Andrew McC. Hogg & Stephen R. Rintoul & Adele K. Morrison, 2023. "Abyssal ocean overturning slowdown and warming driven by Antarctic meltwater," Nature, Nature, vol. 615(7954), pages 841-847, March.
    5. Shenjie Zhou & Andrew J. S. Meijers & Michael P. Meredith & E. Povl Abrahamsen & Paul R. Holland & Alessandro Silvano & Jean-Baptiste Sallée & Svein Østerhus, 2023. "Slowdown of Antarctic Bottom Water export driven by climatic wind and sea-ice changes," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 13(7), pages 701-709, July.
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