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Dynamics of the Southern Ocean Circulation

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posted on 2023-05-22, 15:03 authored by Stephen Rintoul, Naveira Garabato, AC
The Southern Ocean circulation connects the ocean basins as well as the upper and deep layers of the ocean. As a result, the region has a profound influence on the global ocean circulation and climate. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current and the overturning circulation are dynamically linked through interactions between the mean flow, eddies, topography, air–sea forcing, and mixing and stirring by small- and mesoscale processes. A new dynamical paradigm is emerging that emphasizes the fully three-dimensional nature of the circulation, including the localization of meridional and vertical exchange of momentum, vorticity, and tracers by interactions between the flow and topography. Changes observed in the Southern Ocean in recent decades have implications for global climate and provide insight into the response of the Southern Ocean circulation to changes in forcing.

History

Publication title

Ocean Circulation and Climate: A 21st Century Perspective

Volume

103

Editors

G Siedler, SM Griffies, J Gould and JA Church

Pagination

471–492

ISBN

978-0-12-391851-2

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Academic Press

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Extent

31

Rights statement

Copyright 2013 Elsevier

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Climate change models

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