Observed flow compensation associated with the MOC at 26.5 degrees N in the Atlantic.
The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC), which provides one-quarter of the global meridional heat transport, is composed of a number of separate flow components. How changes in the strength of each of those components may affect that of the others has been unclear because of a lack of adequate data. We continuously observed the MOC at 26.5 degrees N for 1 year using end-point measurements of density, bottom pressure, and ocean currents; cable measurements across the Straits of Florida; and wind stress. The different transport components largely compensate for each other, thus confirming the validity of our monitoring approach. The MOC varied over the period of observation by +/-5.7 x 10(6) cubic meters per second, with density-inferred and wind-driven transports contributing equally to it. We find evidence for depth-independent compensation for the wind-driven surface flow.
Kanzow
Torsten
T
National Oceanography Centre, Empress Dock, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK. tok@noc.soton.ac.uk
Cunningham
Stuart A
SA
Rayner
Darren
D
Hirschi
Joël J-M
JJ
Johns
William E
WE
Baringer
Molly O
MO
Bryden
Harry L
HL
Beal
Lisa M
LM
Meinen
Christopher S
CS
Marotzke
Jochem
J