Dense Outflows and Deep Convection in the Antarctic Zone of the Southern Ocean

• Main Author: Muench, Robin D.
• Other Authors: EARTH AND SPACE RESEARCH SEATTLE WA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Physical and Dynamic Oceanography; *OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA; DYNAMICS; NONLINEAR SYSTEMS; BOTTOM WATERS; OCEAN BOTTOM TOPOGRAPHY; ANTARCTIC REGIONS; TIDES; IMPACT; EQUATIONS; Antarctic; Southern Ocean; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA527000; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA527000

This project has sought to better define the dynamics of those processes, including mixing, tides, current-topography interactions and nonlinear equation of state phenomena that impact vertical transports of heat and mass in the Southern Ocean. These transports are crucial to the formation of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), a primary global ocean water type, and are integral to the Southern Ocean branch of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC). Increased understanding of these features will improve their representation in large-scale models and enhance our ability to predict climate-related changes in the MOC.