Abstract:
The Subpolar North Atlantic (SPNA) is a critical area for the global climate change as the switch for the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which transports heat from low to high latitudes effectively. Model studies and proxy data showed that the deep convective activity in the central Labrador Sea is highly correlated with the AMOC strengths. The ocean heat content beneath mixed layer in the SPNA especially the Labrador Sea may even be a precursor for the deep ocean heat content on global scale. This luncheon talk will elaborate on the processes governing the ocean heat content in the SPNA key regions, and explain how mesoscale processes may contribute to the ocean heat content changes, based on regional model simulations and altimeter observations.
