Shutdown and recovery of the AMOC in a coupled global climate model: The role of the advective feedback. Issue 6 (27th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jackson, L. C.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 40:Issue 6(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: 1182
• Page End: 1188
• Publication Date: 2013-03-27
• Subjects: Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/grl.50289
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="grl50289-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p id="grl50289-para-0001">[1] The fresh water advection into the Atlantic ocean by the overturning circulation (<italic>F</italic>_ov) has been suggested as an indicator of the stability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) through an advective feedback. This feedback is explored in transient simulations with a global climate model with and without flux adjustments. Flux adjustments are shown to alter the model near surface salinity, changing <italic>F</italic>_ov from a net importer, to a net exporter of fresh water, mainly through correcting an Atlantic saline bias. The AMOC recovers in strength from a collapsed state, however, that in the experiment with flux adjustments recovers much later and more slowly than that without flux adjustments. This difference is traced back to the sign of <italic>F</italic>_ov, confirming the indicator's importance for the AMOC and suggesting that model biases affecting <italic>F</italic>_ov need to be addressed in order to assess the likelihood of irreversible changes in the AMOC.</p> </abstract>