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A recent decline in North Atlantic subtropical mode water formation

Author

Listed:
  • Samuel W. Stevens

    (University of British Columbia
    Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences)

  • Rodney J. Johnson

    (Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences)

  • Guillaume Maze

    (IFREMER)

  • Nicholas R. Bates

    (Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
    University of Southampton)

Abstract

As a manifestation of mixing dynamics in the upper ocean, interannual and decadal variability of subtropical mode water (STMW) properties in the North Atlantic Ocean provides a valuable insight into ocean–atmosphere interaction in a changing climate. Here, we use hydrographic data from the Bermuda Atlantic Time-Series Study and Hydrostation S sites near Bermuda, as well as various ocean reanalysis products, to evaluate the modern variability of STMW properties. Our study finds an 86–93% loss of STMW thickness at these sites between 2010 and 2018 and a comparable loss throughout the western subtropical gyre, culminating in the weakest STMW pentad on record. We correlate this decline with a reduction in the annual outcropping volume and northward excursions of the formation region, suggesting a gyre-wide signal of weakening STMW generation. The outcropping volume of STMW is anti-correlated with surface ocean heat content, foreshadowing future STMW loss in the face of continued warming.

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel W. Stevens & Rodney J. Johnson & Guillaume Maze & Nicholas R. Bates, 2020. "A recent decline in North Atlantic subtropical mode water formation," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 10(4), pages 335-341, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:10:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1038_s41558-020-0722-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-020-0722-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael W. Lomas & Nicholas R. Bates & Rodney J. Johnson & Deborah K. Steinberg & Tatsuro Tanioka, 2022. "Adaptive carbon export response to warming in the Sargasso Sea," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Zhi Li & Matthew H. England & Sjoerd Groeskamp, 2023. "Recent acceleration in global ocean heat accumulation by mode and intermediate waters," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Sara Berglund & Kristofer Döös & Sjoerd Groeskamp & Trevor J. McDougall, 2022. "The downward spiralling nature of the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.

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