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

Detailed Reference Information
Lemos & Sansó 2006
Lemos, R.T. and Sansó, B. (2006). Spatio-temporal variability of ocean temperature in the Portugal Current System. Journal of Geophysical Research 111: doi: 10.1029/2005JC003051. issn: 0148-0227.

A dynamic process convolution model (DPCM) is used to investigate the evolution and spatial distribution of monthly ocean temperature anomalies in the Portugal Current System. The analysis is performed with 20th century standard depth measurements from the National Oceanographic Data Center, ranging from the surface to 500 m depth. The proposed DPCM decomposes the temporal variability into short-term non-linear components and long-term linear trends, with both components varying smoothly across latitude, longitude and depth. An important feature of the DPCM is that it allows the assessment of trend significance without ad hoc corrections, since the residuals are spatially and temporally uncorrelated. In the analyzed period, an overall warming of coastal surface waters off the west Iberian Peninsula is found, together with fading cross-shelf temperature gradients and increased coastal stratification. Since previous studies also found that upwelling-favorable winds have weakened from the 1940s onward, these results most likely reflect a long-term weakening of the coastal upwelling regime. Transient periods of temperature change are also described and associated with known variability in the North Atlantic, and a final discussion on the link between the observed trends and anthropogenic forcing on climate is presented.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Oceanography, Physical, Decadal ocean variability (1616, 1635, 3305, 4215), Oceanography, Physical, Eastern boundary currents, Oceanography, General, Upwelling and convergences, Oceanography, General, Climate and interannual variability (1616, 1635, 3305, 3309, 4513), Oceanography, Physical, Upper ocean and mixed layer processes
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
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