Influence of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current on the Atlantic meridional circulation
The physics of the Meridional Overturning Circulation and inter-hemispheric heat transport is explored with an emphasis on the upper and central ocean using a general ocean circulation model. The ability of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, bathymetry, and surface temperature and wind stresses to i...
Main Author: | |
---|---|
Other Authors: | , , , |
Format: | Thesis |
Language: | unknown |
Published: |
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
2009
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10945/4814 |
id |
ftnavalpschool:oai:calhoun.nps.edu:10945/4814 |
---|---|
record_format |
openpolar |
spelling |
ftnavalpschool:oai:calhoun.nps.edu:10945/4814 2024-06-09T07:39:56+00:00 Influence of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current on the Atlantic meridional circulation Widener, David J. Radko, Timour Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.) Physical Oceanography Jaferman, Jeffrey 2009-03 xiv, 49 p. : ill. (chiefly col.) application/pdf https://hdl.handle.net/10945/4814 unknown Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 319715745 https://hdl.handle.net/10945/4814 Meridional overturning circulation Thesis 2009 ftnavalpschool 2024-05-15T00:28:56Z The physics of the Meridional Overturning Circulation and inter-hemispheric heat transport is explored with an emphasis on the upper and central ocean using a general ocean circulation model. The ability of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, bathymetry, and surface temperature and wind stresses to influence the MOC and inter-hemispheric heat transport is considered. All experiments are based on an idealized model of intermediate complexity with analysis focused on the interplay between the surface heat fluxes, geometry, and the meridional transport of heat and volume. The ACC is found to have an effect comparable in magnitude to that of the mechanical and thermodynamic surface forcing upon meridional circulation and inter-hemispheric heat transport. Basin geometry also plays a comparatively minor role in the inter-hemispheric transports but is essential in creating a realistic ACC by removing some of the momentum imparted by surface wind stresses. The combination of the ACC and asymmetric surface forcing results in values of inter-hemispheric transport which are comparable to actual values. This agreement suggests that previous emphasis on deep overturning in the ocean basins and small-scale mixing as a dominant factor in the driving force behind the MOC's strength and maintenance should be reconsidered, with greater emphasis being placed on studying the roles of the upper and central ocean. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. US Navy (USN) author. http://archive.org/details/influenceofantar109454814 Thesis Antarc* Antarctic Naval Postgraduate School: Calhoun Antarctic The Antarctic |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Naval Postgraduate School: Calhoun |
op_collection_id |
ftnavalpschool |
language |
unknown |
topic |
Meridional overturning circulation |
spellingShingle |
Meridional overturning circulation Widener, David J. Influence of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current on the Atlantic meridional circulation |
topic_facet |
Meridional overturning circulation |
description |
The physics of the Meridional Overturning Circulation and inter-hemispheric heat transport is explored with an emphasis on the upper and central ocean using a general ocean circulation model. The ability of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, bathymetry, and surface temperature and wind stresses to influence the MOC and inter-hemispheric heat transport is considered. All experiments are based on an idealized model of intermediate complexity with analysis focused on the interplay between the surface heat fluxes, geometry, and the meridional transport of heat and volume. The ACC is found to have an effect comparable in magnitude to that of the mechanical and thermodynamic surface forcing upon meridional circulation and inter-hemispheric heat transport. Basin geometry also plays a comparatively minor role in the inter-hemispheric transports but is essential in creating a realistic ACC by removing some of the momentum imparted by surface wind stresses. The combination of the ACC and asymmetric surface forcing results in values of inter-hemispheric transport which are comparable to actual values. This agreement suggests that previous emphasis on deep overturning in the ocean basins and small-scale mixing as a dominant factor in the driving force behind the MOC's strength and maintenance should be reconsidered, with greater emphasis being placed on studying the roles of the upper and central ocean. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. US Navy (USN) author. http://archive.org/details/influenceofantar109454814 |
author2 |
Radko, Timour Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.) Physical Oceanography Jaferman, Jeffrey |
format |
Thesis |
author |
Widener, David J. |
author_facet |
Widener, David J. |
author_sort |
Widener, David J. |
title |
Influence of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current on the Atlantic meridional circulation |
title_short |
Influence of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current on the Atlantic meridional circulation |
title_full |
Influence of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current on the Atlantic meridional circulation |
title_fullStr |
Influence of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current on the Atlantic meridional circulation |
title_full_unstemmed |
Influence of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current on the Atlantic meridional circulation |
title_sort |
influence of the antarctic circumpolar current on the atlantic meridional circulation |
publisher |
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School |
publishDate |
2009 |
url |
https://hdl.handle.net/10945/4814 |
geographic |
Antarctic The Antarctic |
geographic_facet |
Antarctic The Antarctic |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic |
op_relation |
319715745 https://hdl.handle.net/10945/4814 |
_version_ |
1801383324008054784 |