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Water mass transformation by cabbeling and thermobaricity
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 00:17 authored by Groeskamp, S, Abernathey, RP, Andreas KlockerAndreas KlockerWater mass transformation is an important process for the global ocean circulation. Nonlinearities in the equation of state of seawater lead to water mass transformation due to cabbeling and thermobaricity. Here the contribution of cabbeling and thermobaricity to water mass transformation is calculated in a Neutral Density framework, using temperature gradients derived from observationally based gridded climatologies and observationally based estimates of the spatially varying eddy diffusivities. It is shown that cabbeling and thermobaricity play a significant role in the water mass transformation budget, with cabbeling having a particularly important role in the formation of Antarctic Intermediate Water and Antarctic Bottom Water. A physical hypothesis is presented which explains why cabbeling is important for Antarctic Intermediate Water formation. It is shown that spatially varying estimates of eddy diffusivities are essential to correctly quantify the role of cabbeling to the formation of Antarctic Intermediate Water.
Funding
Australian Research Council
History
Publication title
Geophysical Research LettersVolume
43Issue
20Pagination
10,835-10,845ISSN
0094-8276Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Amer Geophysical UnionPlace of publication
2000 Florida Ave Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20009Rights statement
Copyright 2016 American Geophysical UnionRepository Status
- Open