Ivanovic, RF orcid.org/0000-0002-7805-6018, Valdes, PJ, Flecker, R et al. (2 more authors) (2013) The parameterisation of Mediterranean–Atlantic water exchange in the Hadley Centre model HadCM3, and its effect on modelled North Atlantic climate. Ocean Modelling, 62. pp. 11-16. ISSN 1463-5003
Abstract
Multiple palaeo-proxy and modelling studies suggest that Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) is an important driver of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), particularly during periods of weak overturning. Here, we employ the HadCM3 ocean–atmosphere General Circulation Model (GCM) to investigate the effect of using different parameterisations of Mediterranean–Atlantic water exchange on global ocean circulation and climate. In HadCM3, simulating flow through the Gibraltar Straits with an ‘open seaway’ rather than a ‘diffusive pipe’ causes a shoaling and strengthening of the MOW plume. This reorganises shallow Atlantic circulation, producing regional surface air temperature anomalies of up to + 11 °C and −7.5 °C. We conclude that when investigating the influence of MOW on modelled ocean circulation and climate, an accurate parameterisation of Mediterranean–Atlantic exchange is important and should match observed fresh water and salinity flux constraints. This probably cannot be achieved through a simple ‘diffusive pipe’ with depth invariant mixing coefficient.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) 2012, Elsevier Ltd. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Ocean Modelling. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Marine gateway; Gibraltar Straits; Mediterranean outflow; North Atlantic circulation; Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Inst for Climate & Atmos Science (ICAS) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 09 Aug 2016 15:55 |
Last Modified: | 19 Jan 2018 04:30 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2012.11.002 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.ocemod.2012.11.002 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:89970 |