The dependence of AABW transport in the Atlantic on vertical diffusivity

Simple theoretical arguments are employed to study the dependence of the volume and transport of the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) in the Atlantic Ocean on the vertical diffusivity. We have found that while the vertical extent of the AABW cell decreases with the intensification and deepening of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical research letters 2000-11, Vol.27 (22), p.3739-3742
Main Authors: Kamenkovich, Igor V., Goodman, Paul J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dynamics of the ocean (upper and deep oceans)
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Physics of the oceans
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Summary:Simple theoretical arguments are employed to study the dependence of the volume and transport of the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) in the Atlantic Ocean on the vertical diffusivity. We have found that while the vertical extent of the AABW cell decreases with the intensification and deepening of the North Atlantic overturning cell, the transport of AABW into the Atlantic increases. The latter fact is explained by the increase in the deep meridional pressure gradient, which drives the flow. An estimate of the AABW transport is then derived from the density balance in the deep western boundary layer.
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1029/2000GL011675