FN Archimer Export Format
PT J
TI Importance of boundary processes for heat uptake in the Subpolar North Atlantic
BT 
AF Desbruyères, Damien
   Sinha, B.
   McDonagh, E. L.
   Josey, S. A.
   Holliday, N. P.
   Smeed, D. A.
   New, A. L.
   Megann, A.
   Moat, B. I.
AS 1:1;2:2;3:2,3;4:2;5:2;6:2;7:2;8:2;9:2;
FF 1:PDG-ODE-LOPS-OH;2:;3:;4:;5:;6:;7:;8:;9:;
C1 Ifremer, University of Brest, CNRS, IRD, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Physique et Spatiale Plouzané ,France
   National Oceanography Centre Southampton ,United Kingdom
   NORCE, Norwegian Research Centre, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research Bergen, Norway
C2 IFREMER, FRANCE
   NOC, UK
   NORCE, NORWAY
SI BREST
SE PDG-ODE-LOPS-OH
UM LOPS
IN WOS Ifremer UMR
   copubli-europe
IF 3.405
TC 7
UR https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00636/74853/75239.pdf
   https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00636/74853/75240.nc
   https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00636/74853/75241.nc
   https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00636/74853/75242.nc
LA English
DT Article
AB The decadal to multi‐decadal temperature variability of the intermediate (700 – 2000 m) North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre (SPG) significantly imprints the global pattern of ocean heat uptake. Here, the origins and dominant pathways of this variability are investigated with an ocean analysis product (EN4), an ocean state estimate (ECCOv4), and idealized modeling approaches. Sustained increases and decreases of intermediate temperature in the SPG correlate with long‐lasting warm and cold states of the upper ocean with the largest anomalous vertical heat exchanges confined to the vicinity of continental boundaries and strong ocean currents. In particular, vertical diffusive processes along the boundaries of the Labrador, Irminger, and Newfoundland basins are important drivers of the recent intermediate depth warming trend observed during 1996‐2014. The overall effect of those processes is captured by a 1‐dimensional diffusive model with appropriate boundary‐like parametrization and demonstrated through the boundary‐focused downward propagation of a passive tracer in a 3D numerical simulation. Our results imply that the slow and quasi‐periodic ventilation of intermediate thermohaline properties and associated heat uptake in the SPG are not strictly driven by convection‐restratification events in the open seas but also receives a key contribution from boundary sinking and mixing. Increased skill for modelling and predicting intermediate‐depth ocean properties in the North Atlantic will hence require the appropriate representation of surface‐deep dynamical connections within the boundary currents encircling Greenland and Newfoundland. Plain language summary The subarctic basins of the North Atlantic Ocean play a fundamental role in regulating the climate system. This occurs notably throughout direct connections between the ocean surface (and hence the atmosphere) and deep oceanic layers, which enable the long‐term sequestration and subsequent propagation of physical and biogeochemical anomalies (e.g. heat, carbon). Here, we employ a multi‐tool approach to investigate the mechanisms by which anomalous heat can penetrate downward in this region. Historical observations gathered during 1950‐2016 and combined with idealized modelling strategy suggest that decadal temperature trends in the intermediate layer strongly correlate with long‐lasting warm and cold states of the upper ocean, suggesting potential for first‐order predictability. Focusing on the well‐observed era (1992‐2016) using a realistic ocean reanalysis and tracer propagation experiments in a numerical model, we show that the associated downward penetration of temperature anomalies receives an important contribution from mixing and advection within the energetic boundary currents of the Labrador Sea, Irminger Sea, and Newfoundland basin. 
PY 2020
PD SEP
SO Journal Of Geophysical Research-oceans
SN 2169-9275
PU American Geophysical Union (AGU)
VL 125
IS 9
UT 000576619900031
DI 10.1029/2020JC016366
ID 74853
ER

EF