Work

Cooling and Sinking of the Atlantic Water in the Eurasian Basin Since 1990s

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Atlantic Water (AW) is the primary oceanic heat source for the Arctic Ocean and provides significant heat for sea ice melting. Despite recent Arctic Ocean warming being a hot topic of discussion, we find that the AW core has been cooling and sinking in the Eurasian Basin according to observational data from the past three decades. This phenomenon can be attributed to the volume decrease and salinity increase of the Fram Strait inflow. Specifically, the Fram Strait inflow has decreased in volume by 28% (0.32 Sv/decade, responsible for AW cooling), while its salinity has increased (∼0.1 psu, resulting in the AW sinking by several tens of meters) over recent decades. Diminished Fram Strait inflow reduced the oceanic heat entering the Eurasian Basin, resulting in a lower heat content in the AW layer and potentially reducing upward heat transport, thereby contributing to the recent moderation of sea ice melting.

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2025gl114720

Authors: Bin Kong, Libao Gao, Shizhu Wang, Guijun Guo

Institutions: Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography

Language: English

Topic: Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190