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Recent increases in Arctic freshwater flux affects Labrador Sea convection and Atlantic overturning circulation

Author

Listed:
  • Qian Yang

    (School of Geosciences, University of South Florida)

  • Timothy H. Dixon

    (School of Geosciences, University of South Florida)

  • Paul G. Myers

    (University of Alberta)

  • Jennifer Bonin

    (College of Marine Science, University of South Florida)

  • Don Chambers

    (College of Marine Science, University of South Florida)

  • M. R. van den Broeke

    (Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht, Utrecht University)

  • Mads H. Ribergaard

    (Danish Meteorological Institute, DK-2100 Copenhagen)

  • John Mortensen

    (Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, PO Box 570, 3900 Nuuk)

Abstract

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is an important component of ocean thermohaline circulation. Melting of Greenland’s ice sheet is freshening the North Atlantic; however, whether the augmented freshwater flux is disrupting the AMOC is unclear. Dense Labrador Sea Water (LSW), formed by winter cooling of saline North Atlantic water and subsequent convection, is a key component of the deep southward return flow of the AMOC. Although LSW formation recently decreased, it also reached historically high values in the mid-1990s, making the connection to the freshwater flux unclear. Here we derive a new estimate of the recent freshwater flux from Greenland using updated GRACE satellite data, present new flux estimates for heat and salt from the North Atlantic into the Labrador Sea and explain recent variations in LSW formation. We suggest that changes in LSW can be directly linked to recent freshening, and suggest a possible link to AMOC weakening.

Suggested Citation

  • Qian Yang & Timothy H. Dixon & Paul G. Myers & Jennifer Bonin & Don Chambers & M. R. van den Broeke & Mads H. Ribergaard & John Mortensen, 2016. "Recent increases in Arctic freshwater flux affects Labrador Sea convection and Atlantic overturning circulation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-8, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10525
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10525
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    Cited by:

    1. Xuan Shan & Shantong Sun & Lixin Wu & Michael Spall, 2024. "Role of the Labrador Current in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation response to greenhouse warming," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.

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