EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Seidov & Haupt 2002
Seidov, D. and Haupt, B.J. (2002). On the role of inter-basin surface salinity contrasts in global ocean circulation. Geophysical Research Letters 29: doi: 10.1029/2002GL014813. issn: 0094-8276.

The role of sea surface salinity (SSS) contrasts in maintaining vigorous global ocean thermohaline circulation (TOC) is revisited. Relative importance of different generalizations of sea surface conditions in climate studies is explored. Ocean-wide inter-basin SSS contrasts serve as the major controlling element in global TOC. These contrasts are shown to be at least as important as high-latitudinal freshwater impacts. It is also shown that intra-basin longitudinal distribution of sea surface salinity, as well as intra- and inter-basin longitudinal distribution of sea surface temperature, is not crucial to conveyor functionality if only inter-basin contrasts in sea surface salinity are retained. This is especially important for paleoclimate and future climate simulations.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Global Change, Water cycles, Oceanography, General, Numerical modeling, Oceanography, Physical, General circulation, Oceanography, General, Water masses, Oceanography, Physical, Currents
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit