Mechanisms of aerosol-forced AMOC variability in a state of the art climate model
Mechanisms of sustained multidecadal changes in the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) are investigated in a set of simulations with a new state-of-the-art Earth system model. Anthropogenic aerosols have previously been highlighted as a potential mitigator of AMOC wea...
Published in: | Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
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2013
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Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/1983/efb0fc8d-83ef-4346-bd1f-bb65a89a3e1b https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/publications/efb0fc8d-83ef-4346-bd1f-bb65a89a3e1b https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrc.20178 http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84878063141&partnerID=8YFLogxK |
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ftubristolcris:oai:research-information.bris.ac.uk:publications/efb0fc8d-83ef-4346-bd1f-bb65a89a3e1b 2024-04-28T08:30:57+00:00 Mechanisms of aerosol-forced AMOC variability in a state of the art climate model Menary, Matthew B. Roberts, Christopher D. Palmer, Matthew D. Halloran, Paul R. Jackson, Laura Wood, Richard A. Müller, Wolfgang A. Matei, Daniela Lee, Sang Ki 2013-04 https://hdl.handle.net/1983/efb0fc8d-83ef-4346-bd1f-bb65a89a3e1b https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/publications/efb0fc8d-83ef-4346-bd1f-bb65a89a3e1b https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrc.20178 http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84878063141&partnerID=8YFLogxK eng eng https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/publications/efb0fc8d-83ef-4346-bd1f-bb65a89a3e1b info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess Menary , M B , Roberts , C D , Palmer , M D , Halloran , P R , Jackson , L , Wood , R A , Müller , W A , Matei , D & Lee , S K 2013 , ' Mechanisms of aerosol-forced AMOC variability in a state of the art climate model ' , Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans , vol. 118 , no. 4 , pp. 2087-2096 . https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrc.20178 aerosols amoc atlantic circulation cmip5 overturning article 2013 ftubristolcris https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrc.20178 2024-04-03T16:11:23Z Mechanisms of sustained multidecadal changes in the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) are investigated in a set of simulations with a new state-of-the-art Earth system model. Anthropogenic aerosols have previously been highlighted as a potential mitigator of AMOC weakening. In this study, we explain the oceanic mechanisms behind how anthropogenic aerosols force a strengthening of the AMOC by up to 20% in our state-of-the-art Earth system model. This strengthening is driven via atmospheric circulation changes which subsequently modulate the salinity budget of the North Atlantic subpolar gyre. Gradual salinification occurs via increased evaporation and decreased fluxes of ice through the Fram Straits. A component of the salinification is a positive feedback from the AMOC bringing more saline water northwards from the subtropical Atlantic. Salinification of the subpolar gyre results in increased deep convection and a strengthening of the AMOC. Following a reduction in aerosol concentrations, the AMOC rapidly weakens, approximately 3 times faster than in the case where anthropogenic aerosol concentrations had never been increased. Similarities and differences with available observational records and long term reanalysis products are also discussed. Key Points Aerosols force a long term AMOC strengthening in HadGEM2-ES of ~3Sv This occurs via atmospheric circulation modulating the NA freshwater budget Independent ocean models and atmospheric analyses provide qualitative support Article in Journal/Newspaper North Atlantic University of Bristol: Bristol Research Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans 118 4 2087 2096 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
University of Bristol: Bristol Research |
op_collection_id |
ftubristolcris |
language |
English |
topic |
aerosols amoc atlantic circulation cmip5 overturning |
spellingShingle |
aerosols amoc atlantic circulation cmip5 overturning Menary, Matthew B. Roberts, Christopher D. Palmer, Matthew D. Halloran, Paul R. Jackson, Laura Wood, Richard A. Müller, Wolfgang A. Matei, Daniela Lee, Sang Ki Mechanisms of aerosol-forced AMOC variability in a state of the art climate model |
topic_facet |
aerosols amoc atlantic circulation cmip5 overturning |
description |
Mechanisms of sustained multidecadal changes in the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) are investigated in a set of simulations with a new state-of-the-art Earth system model. Anthropogenic aerosols have previously been highlighted as a potential mitigator of AMOC weakening. In this study, we explain the oceanic mechanisms behind how anthropogenic aerosols force a strengthening of the AMOC by up to 20% in our state-of-the-art Earth system model. This strengthening is driven via atmospheric circulation changes which subsequently modulate the salinity budget of the North Atlantic subpolar gyre. Gradual salinification occurs via increased evaporation and decreased fluxes of ice through the Fram Straits. A component of the salinification is a positive feedback from the AMOC bringing more saline water northwards from the subtropical Atlantic. Salinification of the subpolar gyre results in increased deep convection and a strengthening of the AMOC. Following a reduction in aerosol concentrations, the AMOC rapidly weakens, approximately 3 times faster than in the case where anthropogenic aerosol concentrations had never been increased. Similarities and differences with available observational records and long term reanalysis products are also discussed. Key Points Aerosols force a long term AMOC strengthening in HadGEM2-ES of ~3Sv This occurs via atmospheric circulation modulating the NA freshwater budget Independent ocean models and atmospheric analyses provide qualitative support |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Menary, Matthew B. Roberts, Christopher D. Palmer, Matthew D. Halloran, Paul R. Jackson, Laura Wood, Richard A. Müller, Wolfgang A. Matei, Daniela Lee, Sang Ki |
author_facet |
Menary, Matthew B. Roberts, Christopher D. Palmer, Matthew D. Halloran, Paul R. Jackson, Laura Wood, Richard A. Müller, Wolfgang A. Matei, Daniela Lee, Sang Ki |
author_sort |
Menary, Matthew B. |
title |
Mechanisms of aerosol-forced AMOC variability in a state of the art climate model |
title_short |
Mechanisms of aerosol-forced AMOC variability in a state of the art climate model |
title_full |
Mechanisms of aerosol-forced AMOC variability in a state of the art climate model |
title_fullStr |
Mechanisms of aerosol-forced AMOC variability in a state of the art climate model |
title_full_unstemmed |
Mechanisms of aerosol-forced AMOC variability in a state of the art climate model |
title_sort |
mechanisms of aerosol-forced amoc variability in a state of the art climate model |
publishDate |
2013 |
url |
https://hdl.handle.net/1983/efb0fc8d-83ef-4346-bd1f-bb65a89a3e1b https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/publications/efb0fc8d-83ef-4346-bd1f-bb65a89a3e1b https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrc.20178 http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84878063141&partnerID=8YFLogxK |
genre |
North Atlantic |
genre_facet |
North Atlantic |
op_source |
Menary , M B , Roberts , C D , Palmer , M D , Halloran , P R , Jackson , L , Wood , R A , Müller , W A , Matei , D & Lee , S K 2013 , ' Mechanisms of aerosol-forced AMOC variability in a state of the art climate model ' , Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans , vol. 118 , no. 4 , pp. 2087-2096 . https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrc.20178 |
op_relation |
https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/publications/efb0fc8d-83ef-4346-bd1f-bb65a89a3e1b |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrc.20178 |
container_title |
Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans |
container_volume |
118 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
2087 |
op_container_end_page |
2096 |
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1797588642888155136 |