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North Atlantic subtropical mode water formation controlled by Gulf Stream fronts
Bolan Gan1,2, Jingjie Yu1, Lixin Wu1,2
1Frontier Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System (FDOMES) and Physical Oceanography Laboratory, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
National Science Review
|August 11, 2023
Summary
Frontal-scale ocean-to-atmosphere feedback significantly impacts subtropical mode water (STMW) formation in the North Atlantic. Accurately modeling this feedback is crucial for understanding ocean heat and carbon uptake.
Area of Science:
- Oceanography
- Climate Science
- Atmospheric Science
Background:
- Subtropical mode waters (STMWs) are vital ocean reservoirs for heat, carbon, and oxygen.
- STMW formation occurs in the Gulf Stream region, characterized by atmospheric-oceanic thermal fronts.
- The role of frontal-scale ocean-to-atmosphere (FOA) feedback in STMW formation has been previously underestimated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of FOA feedback on STMW formation using advanced climate simulations.
- To determine the necessity of resolving FOA feedback for accurate STMW production in climate models.
Main Methods:
- Utilized eddy-resolving global climate simulations.
- Compared simulations with and without suppressed local FOA feedback.
- Assessed the impact of FOA feedback on mixed layer depth, heat loss, and STMW characteristics.
Main Results:
- Suppressing local FOA feedback reduced STMW formation by nearly half.
- FOA feedback enhances STMW outcropping via mixed layer deepening driven by increased latent heat loss.
- Eddy-present coupled models with FOA feedback better reproduce observed STMWs compared to eddy-free models.
Conclusions:
- Accurate representation of FOA feedback is essential for improving STMW formation in climate models.
- Refining oceanic resolution alone is insufficient without coupled atmospheric feedback.
- Earth system models must incorporate FOA feedback to correct the underestimation of STMW and associated biogeochemical uptakes.
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