AMOC, Water Mass Transformations, and Their Responses to Changing Resolution in the Finite‐VolumE Sea Ice‐Ocean Model


Contact
dmitry.sidorenko [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) is one of the most important characteristics of an ocean model run. Using the depth (z) and density frameworks, we analyze how the sinking and diapycnal transformations defining the AMOC as well as AMOC strength and variability react to mesh refinement from low to higher resolution in two model runs driven by the CORE-II forcing. Both runs can represent the key locations of sinking and diapycnal transformations behind AMOC, that is, northeastern North Atlantic. Although their spatial patterns do not change significantly with resolution in both frameworks as the consequence of the same atmospheric forcing, the quantitative differences, reaching several sverdrups, are seen in different locations between two model runs for both frameworks. In particular, the refinement leads to the strongest differences in the vertical transport and diapycnal transformations in the latitude range between 30°N and 55°N. The z framework emphasizes the role of localized upwelling around the Gulf Stream separation site, whereas the density framework emphasizes the contribution of (spurious) diapycnal mixing around the Grand Banks. Both effects are reduced in the higher-resolution run, leading to higher AMOC south of 26°N as compared to the low-resolution run, despite the AMOC maxima, located at high latitudes, are higher in the low-resolution run. We suggest that both AMOC frameworks should be used routinely in standard analyses, including forthcoming intercomparison projects.



Item Type
Article
Authors
Divisions
Primary Division
Programs
Primary Topic
Helmholtz Cross Cutting Activity (2021-2027)
Research Networks
Publication Status
Published
Eprint ID
54688
DOI 10.1029/2020MS002317

Cite as
Sidorenko, D. , Danilov, S. , Fofonova, V. , Cabos, W. , Koldunov, N. , Scholz, P. , Sein, D. and Wang, Q. (2020): AMOC, Water Mass Transformations, and Their Responses to Changing Resolution in the Finite‐VolumE Sea Ice‐Ocean Model , Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, 12 (12) . doi: 10.1029/2020MS002317


Share
Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email


Citation

Geographical region

Research Platforms

Campaigns
N/A

Funded by
H2020/641727


Actions
Edit Item Edit Item