Open AccessSurface warming–induced global acceleration of upper ocean currents
Author(s) -
Qiongyao Peng,
ShangPing Xie,
Dongxiao Wang,
Rui Xin Huang,
Gengxin Chen,
Yeqiang Shu,
JiaRui Shi,
Wei Liu
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
science advances
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.928
H-Index - 146
ISSN - 2375-2548
DOI - 10.1126/sciadv.abj8394
Subject(s) - ocean gyre , ocean current , effects of global warming on oceans , ocean heat content , sea surface temperature , stratification (seeds) , global warming , upwelling , oceanography , climatology , environmental science , wind stress , climate change , geology , subtropics , ecology , seed dormancy , botany , germination , dormancy , biology
How the ocean circulation changes in a warming climate is an important but poorly understood problem. Using a global ocean model, we decompose the problem into distinct responses to changes in sea surface temperature, salinity, and wind. Our results show that the surface warming effect, a robust feature of anthropogenic climate change, dominates and accelerates the upper ocean currents in 77% of the global ocean. Specifically, the increased vertical stratification intensifies the upper subtropical gyres and equatorial currents by shoaling these systems, while the differential warming between the Southern Ocean upwelling zone and the region to the north accelerates surface zonal currents in the Southern Ocean. In comparison, the wind stress and surface salinity changes affect regional current systems. Our study points a way forward for investigating ocean circulation change and evaluating the uncertainty.