Publication Date:
2019-11-04
Description:
Most global climate models simulate a weakening of the North Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation (THC) in
response to enhanced greenhouse warming. Both surface warming and freshening in high latitudes, the so-called
sinking region, contribute to the weakening of the THC. Some models simulate even a complete breakdown of the
THC at sufficiently strong forcing. Here results from a state-of-the-art global climate model are presented that
does not simulate a weakening of the THC in response to greenhouse warming. Large-scale air-sea interactions in
the tropics, similar to those operating during present-day El Niños, lead to anomalously high salinities in the
tropical Atlantic. These are advected into the sinking region, thereby increasing the surface density and compensating
the effects of the local warming and freshening. The results of the model study are corroborated by the analysis of
observations.
Description:
Published
Description:
JCR Journal
Description:
open
Keywords:
thermohaline circulation
;
air-sea
;
01. Atmosphere::01.01. Atmosphere::01.01.02. Climate
;
03. Hydrosphere::03.03. Physical::03.03.02. General circulation
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
article
Format:
577444 bytes
Format:
application/pdf
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