Meridional transport of salt in the global ocean from an eddy-resolving model

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dc.contributor.authorTréguier, A-M
dc.contributor.authorDeshayes, J
dc.contributor.authorLe Sommer, J
dc.contributor.authorLique, C
dc.contributor.authorMadec, G
dc.contributor.authorPenduff, T
dc.contributor.authorMolines, J-M
dc.contributor.authorBarnier, B
dc.contributor.authorBourdallé-Badie, R
dc.contributor.authorTalandier, C
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T07:08:30Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T07:08:30Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractThe meridional transport of salt is computed in a global eddy-resolving numerical model (1/12° resolution) in order to improve our understanding of the ocean salinity budget. A methodology is proposed that allows a global analysis of the salinity balance in relation to surface water fluxes, without defining a "freshwater anomaly" based on an arbitrary reference salinity. The method consists of a decomposition of the meridional transport into (i) the transport by the time–longitude–depth mean velocity, (ii) time–mean velocity recirculations and (iii) transient eddy perturbations. Water is added (rainfall and rivers) or removed (evaporation) at the ocean surface at different latitudes, which creates convergences and divergences of mass transport with maximum and minimum values close to ±1 Sv. The resulting meridional velocity effects a net transport of salt at each latitude (±30 Sv PSU), which is balanced by the time–mean recirculations and by the net effect of eddy salinity–velocity correlations. This balance ensures that the total meridional transport of salt is close to zero, a necessary condition for maintaining a quasi-stationary salinity distribution. Our model confirms that the eddy salt transport cannot be neglected: it is comparable to the transport by the time–mean recirculation (up to 15 Sv PSU) at the poleward and equatorial boundaries of the subtropical gyres. Two different mechanisms are found: eddy contributions are localized in intense currents such as the Kuroshio at the poleward boundary of the subtropical gyres, while they are distributed across the basins at the equatorward boundaries. Closer to the Equator, salinity–velocity correlations are mainly due to the seasonal cycle and large-scale perturbations such as tropical instability waves.
dc.identifier.apacitationTréguier, A., Deshayes, J., Le Sommer, J., Lique, C., Madec, G., Penduff, T., ... Talandier, C. (2014). Meridional transport of salt in the global ocean from an eddy-resolving model. <i>Ocean Science</i>, 10(2), 243 - 255. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34596en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationTréguier, A-M, J Deshayes, J Le Sommer, C Lique, G Madec, T Penduff, J-M Molines, B Barnier, R Bourdallé-Badie, and C Talandier "Meridional transport of salt in the global ocean from an eddy-resolving model." <i>Ocean Science</i> 10, 2. (2014): 243 - 255. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34596en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationTréguier, A., Deshayes, J., Le Sommer, J., Lique, C., Madec, G., Penduff, T., Molines, J. & Barnier, B. et al. 2014. Meridional transport of salt in the global ocean from an eddy-resolving model. <i>Ocean Science.</i> 10(2):243 - 255. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34596en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1812-0784
dc.identifier.issn1812-0792
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Tréguier, A-M AU - Deshayes, J AU - Le Sommer, J AU - Lique, C AU - Madec, G AU - Penduff, T AU - Molines, J-M AU - Barnier, B AU - Bourdallé-Badie, R AU - Talandier, C AB - The meridional transport of salt is computed in a global eddy-resolving numerical model (1/12° resolution) in order to improve our understanding of the ocean salinity budget. A methodology is proposed that allows a global analysis of the salinity balance in relation to surface water fluxes, without defining a "freshwater anomaly" based on an arbitrary reference salinity. The method consists of a decomposition of the meridional transport into (i) the transport by the time–longitude–depth mean velocity, (ii) time–mean velocity recirculations and (iii) transient eddy perturbations. Water is added (rainfall and rivers) or removed (evaporation) at the ocean surface at different latitudes, which creates convergences and divergences of mass transport with maximum and minimum values close to ±1 Sv. The resulting meridional velocity effects a net transport of salt at each latitude (±30 Sv PSU), which is balanced by the time–mean recirculations and by the net effect of eddy salinity–velocity correlations. This balance ensures that the total meridional transport of salt is close to zero, a necessary condition for maintaining a quasi-stationary salinity distribution. Our model confirms that the eddy salt transport cannot be neglected: it is comparable to the transport by the time–mean recirculation (up to 15 Sv PSU) at the poleward and equatorial boundaries of the subtropical gyres. Two different mechanisms are found: eddy contributions are localized in intense currents such as the Kuroshio at the poleward boundary of the subtropical gyres, while they are distributed across the basins at the equatorward boundaries. Closer to the Equator, salinity–velocity correlations are mainly due to the seasonal cycle and large-scale perturbations such as tropical instability waves. DA - 2014 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 2 J1 - Ocean Science LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2014 SM - 1812-0784 SM - 1812-0792 T1 - Meridional transport of salt in the global ocean from an eddy-resolving model TI - Meridional transport of salt in the global ocean from an eddy-resolving model UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34596 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34596
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationTréguier A, Deshayes J, Le Sommer J, Lique C, Madec G, Penduff T, et al. Meridional transport of salt in the global ocean from an eddy-resolving model. Ocean Science. 2014;10(2):243 - 255. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34596.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Oceanography
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Science
dc.sourceOcean Science
dc.source.journalissue2
dc.source.journalvolume10
dc.source.pagination243 - 255
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.5194/os-10-243-2014
dc.subject.otherG
dc.subject.otherOceanography
dc.subject.other[SDU.STU.OC] Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Oceanography
dc.subject.otherGeography. Anthropology. Recreation
dc.subject.otherGC1-1581
dc.titleMeridional transport of salt in the global ocean from an eddy-resolving model
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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