Remote forcing of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current by diapycnal mixing

• Published in: Geophysical research letters Vol. 38; no. 8; pp. np - n/a
• Main Authors: Munday, D. R., Allison, L. C., Johnson, H. L., Marshall, D. P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2011; American Geophysical Union; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Antarctic Circumpolar Current; Antarctica; diapycnal mixing; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Geophysics; glacial cycles; Glacial periods; Marine; Ocean basins; Ocean currents; Ocean models; Oceans; Physical oceanography; pycnocline; teleconnections; tidal forcing; Transport; Antarctic circumpolar current; PS, Antarctic Ocean, Antarctic Circumpolar Current; ocean currents; models; ocean basins; Northern Hemisphere; world ocean; Mixing process; mixing; Forcing; transport; glacial periods; ocean circulation
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1029/2011GL046849

We show that diapycnal mixing can drive a significant Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) volume transport, even when the mixing is located remotely in northern‐hemisphere ocean basins. In the case of remote forcing, the globally‐averaged diapycnal mixing coefficient is the important parameter. This result is anticipated from theoretical arguments and demonstrated in a global ocean circulation model. The impact of enhanced diapycnal mixing on the ACC during glacial periods is discussed. Key Points Diapycnal mixing in the oceans can drive a large Antarctic Circumpolar Current The remote location of this mixing is unimportant This can be anticipated from theory and demonstrated in an ocean GCM