The Influence of Freshwater Runoff around the Antarctic Continent on the Meridional Overturning Circulation

Abstract

The Global Meridional Overturning Circulation (GMOC) is a global ocean circulation which redistributes heat, freshwater and nutrients around the globe. It plays an important role in climate, biogeochemical cycling and marine ecosystems. This thesis investigates the effect of Antarctic meltwater runoff in the Southern Ocean on the Meridional Overturning Circulation in the Atlantic basin with a global ocean model, the Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean (NEMO). We find a weakening of the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) circulation and an increase in the North Atlantic Deep water circulation. Moreover, we find that the abyssal ocean is warming. Lastly, we find important sea surface temperature and sea surface salinity signals in the North Atlantic, North Pacific and the El Niño region.