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Sustainable observations of the AMOC: methodology and technology

Sustainable observations of the AMOC: methodology and technology
Sustainable observations of the AMOC: methodology and technology
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a key mechanism of heat, freshwater, and carbon redistribution in the climate system. The precept that the AMOC has changed abruptly in the past, notably during and at the end of the last ice age, and that it is ‘very likely’ to weaken in the coming century due to anthropogenic climate change is a key motivation for sustained observations of the AMOC. This paper reviews the methodology and technology used to observe the AMOC and assesses these ideas and systems for accuracy, shortcomings, potential improvements and sustainability. We review hydrographic techniques and look at how these traditional techniques can meet modern requirements. Transport mooring arrays provide the ‘gold standard’ for sustained AMOC observing, utilizing dynamic height, current meter, and other instrumentation and techniques to produce continuous observations of the AMOC. We consider the principle of these systems and how they can be sustained and improved into the future. Techniques utilizing indirect measurements, such as satellite altimetry, coupled with in‐situ measurements, such as the Argo float array, are also discussed. Existing technologies that perhaps have not been fully exploited for estimating AMOC are reviewed and considered for this purpose. Technology is constantly evolving and we look to the future of technology and how it can be deployed for sustained and expanded AMOC measurements. Finally, all of these methodologies and technologies are considered with a view to a sustained and sustainable future for AMOC observation.
8755-1209
Mccarthy, G.d.
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Brown, P.j.
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Flagg, C.n.
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Goni, G.
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Houpert, L.
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Hughes, C.w.
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Hummels, R.
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Inall, M.
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Jochumsen, K.
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Larsen, K.m.h.
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Lherminier, P.
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Meinen, C.s.
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Moat, B.i.
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Rayner, D.
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Rhein, M.
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Roessler, A.
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Schmid, C.
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Smeed, D.a.
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Mccarthy, G.d.
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Brown, P.j.
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Flagg, C.n.
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Goni, G.
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Houpert, L.
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Hughes, C.w.
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Hummels, R.
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Inall, M.
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Jochumsen, K.
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Larsen, K.m.h.
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Lherminier, P.
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Meinen, C.s.
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Moat, B.i.
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Rayner, D.
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Rhein, M.
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Roessler, A.
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Schmid, C.
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Smeed, D.a.
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Mccarthy, G.d., Brown, P.j., Flagg, C.n., Goni, G., Houpert, L., Hughes, C.w., Hummels, R., Inall, M., Jochumsen, K., Larsen, K.m.h., Lherminier, P., Meinen, C.s., Moat, B.i., Rayner, D., Rhein, M., Roessler, A., Schmid, C. and Smeed, D.a. (2019) Sustainable observations of the AMOC: methodology and technology. Reviews of Geophysics. (doi:10.1029/2019RG000654).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a key mechanism of heat, freshwater, and carbon redistribution in the climate system. The precept that the AMOC has changed abruptly in the past, notably during and at the end of the last ice age, and that it is ‘very likely’ to weaken in the coming century due to anthropogenic climate change is a key motivation for sustained observations of the AMOC. This paper reviews the methodology and technology used to observe the AMOC and assesses these ideas and systems for accuracy, shortcomings, potential improvements and sustainability. We review hydrographic techniques and look at how these traditional techniques can meet modern requirements. Transport mooring arrays provide the ‘gold standard’ for sustained AMOC observing, utilizing dynamic height, current meter, and other instrumentation and techniques to produce continuous observations of the AMOC. We consider the principle of these systems and how they can be sustained and improved into the future. Techniques utilizing indirect measurements, such as satellite altimetry, coupled with in‐situ measurements, such as the Argo float array, are also discussed. Existing technologies that perhaps have not been fully exploited for estimating AMOC are reviewed and considered for this purpose. Technology is constantly evolving and we look to the future of technology and how it can be deployed for sustained and expanded AMOC measurements. Finally, all of these methodologies and technologies are considered with a view to a sustained and sustainable future for AMOC observation.

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McCarthy_et_al-2019-Reviews_of_Geophysics - Accepted Manuscript
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Accepted/In Press date: 18 November 2019
Published date: 23 November 2019

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Local EPrints ID: 436280
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/436280
ISSN: 8755-1209
PURE UUID: c21c6a53-d46a-4560-b506-c9cf35ceb833

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Date deposited: 05 Dec 2019 17:30
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 05:05

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Contributors

Author: G.d. Mccarthy
Author: P.j. Brown
Author: C.n. Flagg
Author: G. Goni
Author: L. Houpert
Author: C.w. Hughes
Author: R. Hummels
Author: M. Inall
Author: K. Jochumsen
Author: K.m.h. Larsen
Author: P. Lherminier
Author: C.s. Meinen
Author: B.i. Moat
Author: D. Rayner
Author: M. Rhein
Author: A. Roessler
Author: C. Schmid
Author: D.a. Smeed

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