Work

Topographic Effects on Seasonal Variations of the North Atlantic Deep Water Transport

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Ocean circulation responds to seasonal and longer timescale changes in atmospheric forcing through the propagation of Rossby and boundary waves, which transmit pressure anomalies and influence geostrophic velocities along their pathways. Rossby waves are guided by potential vorticity isolines shaped by bathymetry. This study hypothesizes that seasonal velocity variability in the North Atlantic Ocean's deep water layer is primarily driven by wind stress and that its pattern and magnitude are strongly influenced by bathymetry. Analysis of satellite gravimetric observations, ocean state estimates, and wind‐driven model simulations reveals that Ocean Bottom Pressure (OBP) and velocity in the deep water layer are significantly modulated by bathymetry, with pronounced variability near topographic features. These findings suggest that measurements of the Deep Western Boundary Current alone may be insufficiently to fully capture the net variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2024gl113883

Authors: Lei Chen, Jiayan Yang, Xiaopei Lin, Lixin Wu

Institutions: Ocean University of China, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Laoshan Laboratory

Language: English

Topic: Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes

Subfield: Oceanography

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life below water, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190