Articles tagged with Ocean Circulation
New research suggests that Agulhas Leakage does not directly regulate the AMOC through salt transport, challenging a long-held textbook concept. Instead, changes in ocean temperature and thermocline structure play a crucial role in shaping the climate system.
A University of California, Davis study found that melting icebergs in the North Pacific Ocean can weaken the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a crucial conveyor belt regulating the global climate. This weakening can lead to subsurface warming, releasing more iceberg meltwater and further impacting AMOC.
Researchers found that tiny, invisible swirls in the deep ocean shape significant climate forces like sea level rise and fisheries collapse. Climate models require significant improvements to accurately predict these effects.
A new study finds that a slowing Atlantic Ocean current will strengthen powerful storms in California while reducing snowfall over Greenland. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation's weakening is projected to increase atmospheric moisture and high-altitude winds, creating more destructive atmospheric rivers.
Scientists used clues from label data, chemical analysis of tiny shells, and ocean current simulations to trace the voyage of a plastic bottle cap. The study found 307 organisms, including a polychaete worm not found in Japanese waters before, highlighting the potential for micro-ecosystems to be transported over extended periods.
Scientists have found that 15 million years ago, the Atlantic Ocean had large low-oxygen zones, while the Pacific Ocean's zones were much smaller. A new study suggests that ocean circulation and continental position played a crucial role in shaping these zones, indicating that warming alone cannot explain changes in oxygen levels.
A decades-long study of oceanographic data shows that warm water has expanded and shifted towards the Antarctic continental shelf, posing a threat to ice shelves. The Southern Ocean's circulation has changed, allowing excess heat from global warming to reach Antarctica's vulnerable ice sheets.
Scientists have traced the origin of massive Atlantic Sargassum blooms to coastal waters near the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. The study uses physics-based modeling and probabilistic analysis to show that blooms can be tracked back up to two years before they are detected by satellites.
The Nordic Seas Overturning Circulation (NOC) has strengthened while the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) has weakened due to global warming. Models project a slight increase in NOC's density-driven mechanism, which counterintuitively strengthens the northern branch despite AMOC weakening.
A collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) would lead to a substantial release of oceanic carbon, contributing to additional global warming. Higher CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere amplify this effect, potentially leading to a 0.2°C increase in global temperatures.
A new study by Stanford University reveals that Antarctic sea ice extent grew for decades until 2016, when it declined abruptly due to the release of accumulated ocean heat. The researchers used data from autonomous floats in the global Argo array to analyze the relationship between wind-driven upwelling and sea ice variability.
Researchers developed a new AI-based SLA forecasting model that outperforms existing approaches and can be widely applied to other prediction tasks. The Multistep-Earthformer model achieves high-accuracy short- and medium-range sea level anomaly forecasting by optimizing training strategies.
The FAU project will integrate high-resolution modeling, observational data, and advanced machine learning to improve understanding of regional sea-level variability in the Gulf of America. The team aims to produce decision-relevant scenario outputs and empower stakeholders with actionable information for future-oriented decisions.
Researchers have shown that ocean temperature patterns limit the global spread of droughts, with synchronised droughts affecting only 1.8% to 6.5% of global land. The study identified 'drought hubs' in regions like Australia, South America, and southern Africa.
Researchers on M217/1 expedition study upwelling system and extreme events off southwest African coast, focusing on Coastal Kelvin waves and Benguela Niños. Key findings include the seasonal upwelling without wind off Angola and the causes of marine heatwaves that disrupt marine ecosystems.
Researchers found a surprising correlation between West Antarctic Ice Sheet retreat and marine algae growth over the past 500,000 years. The study suggests that global warming may lead to reduced CO2 uptake if the ice sheet continues to shrink.
New research reveals that North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) was only about 1.8°C colder than today during the Last Glacial Maximum, contradicting previous assumptions of near-freezing conditions. The study supports climate model projections and suggests that weakening AMOC could have dramatic consequences for future climate.
The Global Ocean Ship-Based Hydrographic Investigations Program (GO-SHIP) has been awarded the Ocean Observing Team Award for its groundbreaking contributions to ocean observing. The program's repeat hydrography measurements have documented decadal changes in ocean circulation, heat, carbon, oxygen, and nutrients.
A new sea surface height prediction model, GTU-Net, combines deep learning and physics-informed constraints to improve accuracy. The model outperforms existing mainstream models across multiple metrics and demonstrates higher accuracy up to 60 days.
Researchers have identified a delicate balance in Antarctic ocean processes that control the formation of dense water, which drives global ocean circulation and climate patterns. Melting ice shelves and changes to sea ice could lead to significant impacts on global climate.
Research shows that intense storms in the Southern Ocean enable it to absorb more heat from the atmosphere. This helps regulate Earth's climate by reducing global warming. The study found that stronger storm activity generates lower surface temperatures across the ocean.
A new global ocean data assimilation system has been developed to improve the accuracy of sea-surface temperature and sea-level anomaly forecasts. The YHGO platform integrates a fully nonlinear and non-Gaussian data assimilation method with a mass-conserving ocean model, leading to improved performance compared to existing systems.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience shows the key role of Antarctic Bottom Water in the transition from the last Ice Age. The expansion of AABW played a central role in releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which helped reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
A modelling study suggests that heat stored in the Southern Ocean could be released, causing a rapid warming of the atmosphere. The ocean acts as a large heat reservoir, mitigating atmospheric warming since the Industrial Revolution.
A study published in Nature Climate Change found that mesoscale horizontal stirring intensifies considerably in the Arctic and Southern Oceans, driven by stronger ocean flow and turbulence resulting from sea ice loss. This intensification could alter heat and nutrient transport, impacting marine ecosystems.
New research suggests that ocean turbulence and horizontal stirring will dramatically increase in the Arctic and Southern Oceans due to human-induced Global Warming. The study uses ultra-high-resolution simulations to investigate how mesoscale horizontal stirring (MHS) responds to warming, revealing a pronounced future intensification ...
A recent study suggests that Atlantic Ocean currents are losing stability, with evidence of 'stability loss' indicating the region is moving towards a tipping point. This could have significant implications for climate patterns, including harsher winters in north-west Europe and shifts in global rainfall patterns.
Researchers found significant differences in oceanic conditions between pre- and post-monsoon tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal. The study highlights the importance of seasonality in cyclone intensity and the ocean's response, with potential applications for predicting cyclone impacts and developing early warning tools.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could shut down after 2100 due to climate change, leading to severe winter extremes in northwestern Europe and shifts in tropical rainfall belts. A collapse of deep convection in the Labrador, Irminger, and Nordic Seas is seen as a tipping point for the shutdown.
Researchers from Heidelberg University and the University of Bern reconstructed Holocene circulation patterns using geochemical analyses of marine sediments. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation remained stable for long periods but weakened between 9,200 and 8,000 years ago, coinciding with meltwater pulses.
Researchers found that ocean anomalies traveling northward affect the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation in the Nordic Seas, controlling its strength. The study suggests that these anomalies can be monitored using satellite data, providing a cost-effective way to track climate changes.
Researchers used benthic foraminifera to study the link between Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) strength and oxygen content in the eastern tropical North Atlantic. The study found that weaker AMOCs are associated with more oxygen in the oxygen-minimum zone, which has implications for marine ecosystems.
A new study maps the geographical distribution of shallow-water marine mollusks, showing how temperature, ocean currents, and paleogeographic development shape their habitats. The research highlights the impact of rapid climate change on marine ecosystems, threatening biodiversity.
A study by University of California, Riverside researchers finds that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation's slowdown is responsible for the persistent cold water anomaly south of Greenland. This weakening circulation leads to cooler surface waters and fresher salinity, impacting weather patterns across Europe.
A recent study using SWOT satellite data has revealed the existence of powerful submesoscale eddies in the ocean, which play a significant role in shaping the climate system. These smaller currents carry surprisingly large amounts of energy and influence marine food webs, weather patterns, and events like El Niño and La Niña.
Researchers linked comprehensive datasets with physical ocean processes to understand the exceptional marine biodiversity around the Cape Verde Archipelago. The study identified three key mechanisms driving nutrient transport and found that physical dynamics influence not only productivity but also the type of organisms present.
A new study reveals that the negative effects of the ozone hole on the Southern Ocean's carbon uptake are reversible, but only if greenhouse gas emissions rapidly decrease. The study found that as the ozone hole heals, its influence on the ocean's carbon sink diminishes, while the influence of greenhouse gas emissions rises.
A new study reveals a strong correlation between sediment changes and global cooling in the Northern Hemisphere 3.6 million years ago. The findings suggest profound changes in deep water currents occurred at this time, impacting Atlantic Ocean heat and salt distribution and ice-sheet expansion.
A plume of hot rocks from the Earth's mantle created a conveyor belt for heat to rise, leading to the gradual uplift of the Arabian Peninsula and the creation of a land bridge between Asia and Africa. This event enabled the early ancestors of elephants, giraffes, and humans to roam between the two continents.
Researchers have used cutting-edge satellite technology to uncover the impact of submesoscale eddies on ocean circulation and climate patterns. The study revealed that these small-scale eddies contribute significantly to vertical heat transfer, regulating oceanic heat transport and influencing global climate systems.
A University of Malaga study highlights the importance of accurate estimates of marine litter to address the environmental concern. The research found that current monitoring strategies are inadequate, and simulation experiments identified the most appropriate sampling strategies to achieve more accurate results.
A new study reveals that Amazonian mangrove forests release essential trace elements like neodymium into the ocean, supporting marine ecosystems and the carbon cycle. Mangroves act as biochemical reactors, releasing nutrients and metals into coastal waters.
Borealis Mud Volcano provides a hard substrate for various species like anemones and octocoral colonies, sustaining local fish populations. The volcano's carbonates also offer shelter and feeding opportunities.
Researchers at University of Liverpool develop new method to measure ocean memory, revealing the North Atlantic Ocean has a nearly two-decade memory. This surpasses previous estimates and highlights the importance of ocean circulation in climate system predictability.
European atmospheric blocking has slowed glacial melt at Greenland's Nioghalvfjerdsfjorden Glacier by cooling subsurface waters from 2018 to 2021. The findings highlight the importance of regional atmospheric dynamics in glacier stability, which is crucial for predicting future glacier behavior.
Researchers found that 72% of the AMOC's lower limb is composed of Atlantic waters, highlighting the critical role of Atlantic-Arctic mixing. This process contributes to the AMOC's strength and helps regulate Earth's climate.
Researchers found that floating objects can reach Antarctic waters from more sources than previously thought, threatening the continent's unique ecosystems. Non-native marine species can colonize Antarctica by catching a ride on kelp, driftwood, and plastic debris.
A new study published by Texas A&M University researchers found that the Hunga Tonga volcano eruption did not contribute to global warming as initially thought. Instead, the eruption resulted in more energy leaving the climate system than entering it, leading to a slight cooling effect.
A new study led by UCL researchers found that the Gulf Stream was stronger during the last ice age due to more powerful winds across the subtropical North Atlantic. If climate change causes a reduction in these winds, the Gulf Stream could weaken, potentially cooling Europe and causing higher sea levels in North America.
A team of scientists, including a UC Irvine researcher, discovered that bumpy ocean floor features contribute to upwelling rates 10,000 times higher than the global average. This finding provides direct evidence for earlier theoretical predictions about ocean circulation and mass balance.
Weaker ocean circulation may lead to increased carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere due to a previously uncharacterized feedback loop involving iron, upwelling nutrients, and ligands. The study challenges current thinking on the ocean's role in storing carbon.
Researchers from Kyushu University found that early-onset El Niño leads to warm winters in East Asia due to anomalous warming of the tropical Indian Ocean. Late-onset El Niño, on the other hand, results in colder winters. This study aimed to improve climate modeling and prediction during El Niño events.
A UC Riverside study shows that extreme heat in Earth's past caused a decline in the exchange of waters from the surface to the deep ocean, which redistributes heat around the globe. This system has been crucial for regulating Earth's climate and removing anthropogenic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
A new study reveals the underappreciated role of inorganic Zinc particles in ocean cycles, crucial for phytoplankton productivity and carbon sequestration. The Southern Ocean's unique processes regulate the global Zinc cycle, with implications for a changing climate.
Researchers identified a global climate indicator, Indian Ocean basin-wide index, that can improve predictions of dengue outbreaks several months in advance. This could facilitate efforts to tackle the rising infection threatening half the world's population.
A team of researchers found that the current rate of atmospheric carbon dioxide increase is 10 times faster than at any other point in the past 50,000 years. The study provides new insight into abrupt climate change periods and potential impacts of climate change today.
A new study found that human-induced environmental changes around Antarctica are contributing to sea level rise in the North Atlantic. The research team analyzed two decades of oceanographic data and found a 12% weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation deep water limb.
New research by Bangor University reveals that summer storms help maintain healthy oxygen levels in deep waters around the UK. The study shows that oxygen mixing can slow the development of a summer oxygen deficit, improving ocean health.
Researchers from Kyushu University found that ocean-atmosphere coupling enhances teleconnection patterns, leading to more meandering jet streams and extreme weather events. The study highlights the significance of extratropical ocean-atmosphere interactions in climate variability.
A new study finds that extreme tropical cyclone rainfall is increasing across the continental US, while climate warming restricts 'outdoor days' for people living in developing countries. Additionally, air pollution increases mortality risks from heat, especially when combined with other factors like wildfires and reduced aerosols.