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Changes in the global hydrological-cycle inferred from ocean salinity

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 05:21 authored by Helm, KP, Nathaniel BindoffNathaniel Bindoff, Church, JA
Using global datasets of in situ observations, we calculate salinity changes on ocean‐density surfaces between 1970 and 2005. This reveals a global pattern of increased salinities near the upper‐ocean salinity‐maximum layer (average depth of ∼100 m) and decreased salinities near the intermediate salinity minimum (average depth of ∼700 m). The salinity changes imply a 3 ± 2% decrease in precipitation‐minus evaporation (P‐E) over the mid and low latitude oceans in both hemispheres, a 7 ± 4% increase in the Northern Hemisphere high latitudes, and a 16 ± 6% increase in the Southern Ocean since 1970. This pattern of increased precipitation at high latitudes and decreased precipitation in the subtropics is reflected in both land records and in the short satellite records. The quantification of the atmospheric signal of climate change on ocean salinity supports model projections, and extends the growing evidence for an acceleration of the Earth’s water cycle.

History

Publication title

Geophysical Research Letters

Volume

37

Issue

L18701

Pagination

EJ

ISSN

0094-8276

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Amer Geophysical Union

Place of publication

2000 Florida Ave Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20009

Rights statement

Copyright © 2010 American Geophysical Union.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Climate variability (excl. social impacts)

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