Work

Increased Shortwave Radiation Dampens Summertime SST Tendency in Mid‐Latitude Oceans Under Future Warming Scenarios

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Shortwave radiation penetrating through the bottom of the mixed layer (ML) ( Q pen ) significantly modulates sea surface temperature (SST) variability. Here, we show that summertime Q pen is projected to increase by 3.9 (3.7) ± 1.9 (1.6) W m −2 in the northern (southern) mid‐latitude oceans under the high emission scenario (SSP5‐8.5) during 2051–2100 compared to the historical simulation during 1951–2000. This increase is driven primarily by a ML shoaling, and secondarily by a reduction of chlorophyll in summer. The latter exerts a pronounced impact on Q pen , resulting from higher sensitivity of Q pen to seasonal chlorophyll reduction in mid‐latitude oceans due to the shoaling of the summertime ML. Furthermore, the enhanced Q pen reduces the magnitude of SST tendency by 25.3% in summer, thereby weakening summertime month‐to‐month SST tendency in these regions. These results highlight the critical role played by Q pen in ocean warming, requiring a better representation of radiation penetration in climate models.

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2025gl117068

Authors: Feng Tian, Rong‐Hua Zhang

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes

Subfield: Oceanography

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Life below water

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190