Remote forcing of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current by diapycnal mixing

We show that diapycnal mixing can drive a significant Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) volume transport, even when the mixing is located remotely in northern‐hemisphere ocean basins. In the case of remote forcing, the globally‐averaged diapycnal mixing coefficient is the important parameter. This...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical research letters 2011-04, Vol.38 (8), p.np-n/a
Main Authors: Munday, D. R., Allison, L. C., Johnson, H. L., Marshall, D. P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antarctic Circumpolar Current
Antarctica
diapycnal mixing
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Geophysics
glacial cycles
Glacial periods
Marine
Ocean basins
Ocean circulation
Ocean currents
Ocean models
Oceans
Physical oceanography
pycnocline
teleconnections
tidal forcing
Transport
Water circulation
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Summary:We show that diapycnal mixing can drive a significant Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) volume transport, even when the mixing is located remotely in northern‐hemisphere ocean basins. In the case of remote forcing, the globally‐averaged diapycnal mixing coefficient is the important parameter. This result is anticipated from theoretical arguments and demonstrated in a global ocean circulation model. The impact of enhanced diapycnal mixing on the ACC during glacial periods is discussed. Key Points Diapycnal mixing in the oceans can drive a large Antarctic Circumpolar Current The remote location of this mixing is unimportant This can be anticipated from theory and demonstrated in an ocean GCM
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1029/2011GL046849