Analysis of magnitude, drivers, and mechanisms of salinity variability in the tropical Atlantic
Title
Analysis of magnitude, drivers, and mechanisms of salinity variability in the tropical Atlantic
General information
Variability of air/sea heat fluxes and associated sea surface and mixed layer temperature anomalies have a strong influence on the oceanic and atmospheric circulation and its variability. Salinity plays a specific role for the evolution of the mixed layer heat content due to its impact on ocean stratification. In contrast to temperature anomalies, salinity anomalies do not provoke a local air/sea exchange response in the form of a freshwater flux and salinity anomalies are much more persistent than temperature anomalies. Workpackage 1.3, as part of the Forschergruppe 1740, proposes the analysis of spatial and temporal scales and magnitude of salinity anomalies in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Recent observational data on ocean interior transport and hydrography with high temporal (moored observations) and spatial (autonomous gliders, ship data, Argo float) resolution, and in combination with non-oceanic freshwater fluxes (evaporation, precipitation, and river run-off) will be used to improve our understanding of 1) freshwater flux variability in the Atlantic sector in general and 2) the role of freshwater flux variability during the onset of the equatorial cold tongue, a dominant feature of the tropical Atlantic climate variability.
Start
May, 2016
End
April, 2019
Funding (total)
-
Funding (GEOMAR)
264000
Funding body / Programme
-
DFG
/ FOR 1740
Coordination
null
Contact
