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Indian Ocean salinity build-up primes deglacial ocean circulation recovery

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Listed:
  • Sophie Nuber

    (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University
    School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews
    Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University)

  • James W. B. Rae

    (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews)

  • Xu Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Morten B. Andersen

    (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University)

  • Matthew D. Dumont

    (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews)

  • Huw T. Mithan

    (Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University)

  • Yuchen Sun

    (Alfred Wegener Institute)

  • Bas de Boer

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Ian R. Hall

    (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University)

  • Stephen Barker

    (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University)

Abstract

The Indian Ocean provides a source of salt for North Atlantic deep-water convection sites, via the Agulhas Leakage, and may thus drive changes in the ocean’s overturning circulation1–3. However, little is known about the salt content variability of Indian Ocean and Agulhas Leakage waters during past glacial cycles and how this may influence circulation. Here we show that the glacial Indian Ocean surface salt budget was notably different from the modern, responding dynamically to changes in sea level. Indian Ocean surface salinity increased during glacial intensification, peaking in glacial maxima. We find that this is due to rapid land exposure in the Indonesian archipelago induced by glacial sea-level lowering, and we suggest a mechanistic link via reduced input of relatively fresh Indonesian Throughflow waters into the Indian Ocean. Using climate model results, we show that the release of this glacial Indian Ocean salinity via the Agulhas Leakage during deglaciation can directly impact the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and global climate.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophie Nuber & James W. B. Rae & Xu Zhang & Morten B. Andersen & Matthew D. Dumont & Huw T. Mithan & Yuchen Sun & Bas de Boer & Ian R. Hall & Stephen Barker, 2023. "Indian Ocean salinity build-up primes deglacial ocean circulation recovery," Nature, Nature, vol. 617(7960), pages 306-311, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:617:y:2023:i:7960:d:10.1038_s41586-023-05866-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05866-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Fuzhi Lu & Mahyar Mohtadi & Francesco S. R. Pausata, 2024. "Dynamics of the intertropical convergence zone during the early Heinrich Stadial 1," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-4, December.

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