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Holocene oscillations in temperature and salinity of the surface subpolar North Atlantic

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  • David J. R. Thornalley

    (The Godwin Laboratory for Palaeoclimate Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EQ, UK
    Present address: School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3YE, UK.)

  • Harry Elderfield

    (The Godwin Laboratory for Palaeoclimate Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EQ, UK)

  • I. Nick McCave

    (The Godwin Laboratory for Palaeoclimate Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EQ, UK)

Abstract

Hot and cold running Atlantic The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) is a control on global climate, helping to maintain a warm northwestern European climate by transporting warm, salty surface waters to high latitudes, where they cool, sink and return southwards at depth. The past behaviour of this northerly flow of surface water is not well understood. Thornalley et al. investigated the temperature and salinity changes of surface water inflow to a region of deepwater formation throughout the Holocene. They find that the inflow has undergone millennial-scale variations in temperature and salinity that correlate with previously reported periods of rapid climate change. The inflow becomes more saline during enhanced freshwater flux to the subpolar North Atlantic. Model studies predict a weakening of AMOC in response to enhanced Arctic freshwater fluxes, although the inflow can compensate on decadal timescales by becoming more saline. The new data suggest that such a negative feedback mechanism may have operated during past intervals of climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • David J. R. Thornalley & Harry Elderfield & I. Nick McCave, 2009. "Holocene oscillations in temperature and salinity of the surface subpolar North Atlantic," Nature, Nature, vol. 457(7230), pages 711-714, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:457:y:2009:i:7230:d:10.1038_nature07717
    DOI: 10.1038/nature07717
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    Cited by:

    1. Hsun-Ming Hu & Valerie Trouet & Christoph Spötl & Hsien-Chen Tsai & Wei-Yi Chien & Wen-Hui Sung & Véronique Michel & Jin-Yi Yu & Patricia Valensi & Xiuyang Jiang & Fucai Duan & Yongjin Wang & Horng-Sh, 2022. "Tracking westerly wind directions over Europe since the middle Holocene," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Hsun-Ming Hu & Gianluca Marino & Carlos Pérez-Mejías & Christoph Spötl & Yusuke Yokoyama & Jimin Yu & Eelco Rohling & Akihiro Kano & Patrick Ludwig & Joaquim G. Pinto & Véronique Michel & Patricia Val, 2024. "Sustained North Atlantic warming drove anomalously intense MIS 11c interglacial," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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