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A prototype system of observing the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation - scientific basis, measurement and risk mitigation strategies, and first results

A prototype system of observing the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation - scientific basis, measurement and risk mitigation strategies, and first results
A prototype system of observing the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation - scientific basis, measurement and risk mitigation strategies, and first results
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) carries up to one quarter of the global northward heat transport in the Subtropical North Atlantic. A system monitoring the strength of the MOC volume transport has been operating since April 2004. The core of this system is an array of moored sensors measuring density, bottom pressure and ocean currents. A strategy to mitigate risks of possible partial failures of the array is presented, relying on backup and complementary measurements. The MOC is decomposed into five components, making use of the continuous moored observations, and of cable measurements across the Straits of Florida, and wind stress data. The components compensate for each other, indicating that the system is working reliably. The year-long average strength of the MOC is 18.7±5.6 Sv, with wind-driven and density-inferred transports contributing equally to the variability. Numerical simulations suggest that the surprisingly fast density changes at the western boundary are partially linked to westward propagating planetary waves.
1755-876X
19-28
Kanzow, T.
ede4d92e-c4b2-48d0-83bf-a03f881aa819
Hirschi, J.J-M.
c8a45006-a6e3-4319-b5f5-648e8ef98906
Meinen, C.S.
e1d8f782-ccdf-4f81-98c4-cc1c7701165c
Rayner, D.
60eaf35c-c54e-447b-8551-efc08637d122
Cunningham, S.A.
07f1bd78-d92f-478b-a016-b92f530142c3
Marotzke, J.
6047bfd1-68a3-4abe-95ce-e1df9a56ce76
Johns, W.E.
e69b0088-c832-4ed8-94f6-9c5e9e6f62af
Bryden, H.L.
7f823946-34e8-48a3-8bd4-a72d2d749184
Beal, L.M.
3939723a-86f3-4691-bd09-bf1ab2657c76
Baringer, M.O.
b8dab4b9-918b-4bc9-a033-dcbeb03f5730
Kanzow, T.
ede4d92e-c4b2-48d0-83bf-a03f881aa819
Hirschi, J.J-M.
c8a45006-a6e3-4319-b5f5-648e8ef98906
Meinen, C.S.
e1d8f782-ccdf-4f81-98c4-cc1c7701165c
Rayner, D.
60eaf35c-c54e-447b-8551-efc08637d122
Cunningham, S.A.
07f1bd78-d92f-478b-a016-b92f530142c3
Marotzke, J.
6047bfd1-68a3-4abe-95ce-e1df9a56ce76
Johns, W.E.
e69b0088-c832-4ed8-94f6-9c5e9e6f62af
Bryden, H.L.
7f823946-34e8-48a3-8bd4-a72d2d749184
Beal, L.M.
3939723a-86f3-4691-bd09-bf1ab2657c76
Baringer, M.O.
b8dab4b9-918b-4bc9-a033-dcbeb03f5730

Kanzow, T., Hirschi, J.J-M., Meinen, C.S., Rayner, D., Cunningham, S.A., Marotzke, J., Johns, W.E., Bryden, H.L., Beal, L.M. and Baringer, M.O. (2008) A prototype system of observing the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation - scientific basis, measurement and risk mitigation strategies, and first results. Journal of Operational Oceanography, 1 (1), 19-28.

Record type: Article

Abstract

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) carries up to one quarter of the global northward heat transport in the Subtropical North Atlantic. A system monitoring the strength of the MOC volume transport has been operating since April 2004. The core of this system is an array of moored sensors measuring density, bottom pressure and ocean currents. A strategy to mitigate risks of possible partial failures of the array is presented, relying on backup and complementary measurements. The MOC is decomposed into five components, making use of the continuous moored observations, and of cable measurements across the Straits of Florida, and wind stress data. The components compensate for each other, indicating that the system is working reliably. The year-long average strength of the MOC is 18.7±5.6 Sv, with wind-driven and density-inferred transports contributing equally to the variability. Numerical simulations suggest that the surprisingly fast density changes at the western boundary are partially linked to westward propagating planetary waves.

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Published date: February 2008

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 54890
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/54890
ISSN: 1755-876X
PURE UUID: 8ccb7af4-01b8-45b6-a14e-e27ecca134cc
ORCID for H.L. Bryden: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-8216-6359

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 22 Jul 2008
Last modified: 09 Jan 2022 02:51

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Contributors

Author: T. Kanzow
Author: J.J-M. Hirschi
Author: C.S. Meinen
Author: D. Rayner
Author: S.A. Cunningham
Author: J. Marotzke
Author: W.E. Johns
Author: H.L. Bryden ORCID iD
Author: L.M. Beal
Author: M.O. Baringer

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