Feature of thermohaline circulation in two-layer conceptual model based on energy constraint

• Published in: Science China. Earth sciences Vol. 58; no. 8; pp. 1397 - 1403
• Main Authors: Shen, Yang, Guan, YuPing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Beijing Science China Press 01.08.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Atmospheric circulation; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Research Paper; Stratigraphy; THC; 分层模型; 垂直分层; 概念模型; 模型描述; 温盐环流; 环流特征; 能量约束; thermohaline circulation; freshwater flux; two-layer model; mixing energy; equilibrium state
• ISSN: 1674-7313; 1869-1897
• DOI: 10.1007/s11430-015-5092-8

The assertion that the thermohaline circulation （THC） is driven and sustained by mechanical energy has been increasingly ac- cepted. The simplest conceptual model describing the THC is the Stommel two-box model. Given the vertical stratification in the real ocean, layered models were designed and used. In this research, using a two-layer conceptual model based on energy constraint, we studied basic features of thermal-mode and saline-mode circulations. We focused on the effects of freshwater flux and mixing energy on the intensity and multiple equilibrium states of the THC. The results show that more important than affecting the THC intensity, both the decrease of freshwater flux and increase of mixing energy can lead to an ＂abrupt transi- tion＂ in the THC from a stable saline to a stable thermal mode, which further develops the THC energy theory.