Atmospheric CO2 forcing on glacial thermohaline circulation and climate

A coupled climate model study indicates the paleoclimate record of glacial thermohaline circulation (THC) and reversed deep-sea temperature- salinity (T-S) distribution in the Atlantic can be explained largely by lower glacial atmospheric CO2 alone. The reduced CO2 leads to increased Southern Ocean...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical Research Letters
Main Authors: Liu, ZY, Shin, SI, Webb, RS, Lewis, W, Otto-Bliesner, BL
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2005
Subjects:
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
CARBON-DIOXIDE
SEA-ICE
OCEAN
TEMPERATURE
MAXIMUM
DEGLACIATION
VARIABILITY
GREENLAND
SYSTEM
CYCLE
Geology
Geosciences
Multidisciplinary
Antarctic
Southern Ocean
Greenland
Antarc*
NADW
North Atlantic Deep Water
North Atlantic
Sea ice
Online Access:http://210.72.146.199/handle/361006/2326
https://doi.org/10.1029/2004GL021929
Description
Summary:A coupled climate model study indicates the paleoclimate record of glacial thermohaline circulation (THC) and reversed deep-sea temperature- salinity (T-S) distribution in the Atlantic can be explained largely by lower glacial atmospheric CO2 alone. The reduced CO2 leads to increased Southern Ocean wintertime sea-ice cover and salinity, increased production of dense Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), enhanced cold and saline AABW penetration into the deep North Atlantic, increased oceanic vertical stability, and reduced North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) circulation. The dominant role of CO2 forcing during the glacial implies a positive feedback between the Southern Ocean regulated THC and the glacial global carbon cycle.

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