MURAL - Maynooth University Research Archive Library



    Climate change impacts on ocean circulation relevant to the UK and Ireland


    McCarthy, Gerard, Burmeister, K, Cunningham, Stuart A., Düsterhus, A., Williams, Frajka, Graham, J. A., Hodge, K. R., Holliday, N. Penny, Jackson, Inall M., Menary, M. B., Moat, B. I., Moffa-Sánchez, Paola, Oltmanns, M, Polton, J. A., Rabe, B., Robson, J. and Thornalley, D. J. R. (2023) Climate change impacts on ocean circulation relevant to the UK and Ireland. MCCIP Science Review. pp. 1-29.

    [thumbnail of GM_climate.pdf]
    Preview
    Text
    GM_climate.pdf

    Download (872kB) | Preview

    Abstract

    What is happening • Observations of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation or Gulf Stream System since the 1980s have shown a strengthening in the 1990s and a weakening in the 2000s, with no clear overall trend. • Shifts in North-east Atlantic circulation, leading to a greater influence of warmer subtropical-origin waters which can impact marine ecosystems and economically important fish species such as mackerel. The changing subpolar ocean circulation is also having impacts on the food supply for deep-sea ecosystems. • The subpolar gyre recorded its freshest values on record in the 2010s. Ongoing freshwater build-up in the rapidly changing Arctic Ocean may exacerbate this freshening. What could happen • Projections from climate models consistently project a weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation due to anthropogenic climate change. • Warming of Atlantic waters is expected to reduce the depth of mixed layers and limit nutrient supply to surface layers.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: Climate change; impacts; ocean circulation; UK; Ireland;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Social Sciences > Geography
    Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Institutes > Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units, ICARUS
    Item ID: 17450
    Depositing User: Gerard McCarthy
    Date Deposited: 17 Aug 2023 15:34
    Journal or Publication Title: MCCIP Science Review
    Publisher: MCCIP Science Review
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mu.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/17450
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

    Repository Staff Only (login required)

    Item control page
    Item control page

    Downloads

    Downloads per month over past year

    Origin of downloads