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The evolution of deep-ocean flow speeds and δ¹³C under large changes in the Atlantic overturning circulation: Toward a more direct model-data comparison

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Title The evolution of deep-ocean flow speeds and δ¹³C under large changes in the Atlantic overturning circulation: Toward a more direct model-data comparison
Names Bakker, Pepijn (creator)
Govin, Aline (creator)
Thornalley, David J. R. (creator)
Roche, Didier M. (creator)
Renssen, Hans (creator)
Date Issued 2015-02-19 (iso8601)
Note This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the American Geophysical Union and can be found at: http://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/agu/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%291944-9186/.
Abstract To investigate the dynamics of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) on
timescales longer than the observational records, model-data comparisons of past AMOC variability
are imperative. However, this remains challenging because of dissimilarities between different proxy-based
AMOC tracers and the difficulty of comparing these to model output. We present an iLOVECLIM simulation
with tuned AMOC evolution and focus on AMOC tracers that are directly comparable to reconstructions: flow
speeds and δ¹³C. We deduce their driving factors and show that they yield different but complementary
information about AMOC changes. Simulated flow speed changes are only linked to AMOC changes in regions
bathed by North Atlantic Deep Water; however, in those regions they do provide details on vertical migration
and thickness changes of the water masses. Simulated δ¹³C changes in the North Atlantic Deep Water
region are again related to AMOC changes. Yet in regions bathed by Antarctic Bottom Water or Antarctic
Intermediate Water, the δ¹³C evolution is driven by Southern Hemisphere source water δ¹³C changes, while
in the Nordic Seas and the two major overflow regions it is driven by Northern Hemisphere source water
δ¹³C changes. This shows that AMOC changes are not necessarily recorded by δ¹³C and stresses the need
for combining both tracers in paleoclimate studies. A preliminary model-data comparison for Last Interglacial
flow speeds and δ¹³C changes in the Deep Western Boundary Current shows that this integrated approach is
far from straightforward and currently inconclusive on the Last Interglacial AMOC evolution. Nonetheless, the
approach yields potential for more direct and in-depth model-data comparisons of past AMOC changes.
Genre Article
Topic Atlantic meridional overturning circulation
Identifier Bakker, P., Govin, A., Thornalley, D. J. R., Roche, D. M., & Renssen, H. (2015). The evolution of deep‐ocean flow speeds and δ¹³C under large changes in the Atlantic overturning circulation: Toward a more direct model‐data comparison. Paleoceanography, 30(2), 95-117. doi:10.1002/2015PA002776

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