McCarthy, Gerard and Burmeister, K and Cunningham, Stuart A. and Düsterhus, A. and Williams, Frajka and Graham, J. A. and Hodge, K. R. and Holliday, N. Penny and Jackson, Inall M. and Menary, M. B. and Moat, B. I. and Moffa-Sánchez, Paola and Oltmanns, M and Polton, J. A. and Rabe, B. and Robson, J. and Thornalley, D. J. R. (2023) Climate change impacts on ocean circulation relevant to the UK and Ireland. MCCIP Science Review. pp. 1-29.

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Abstract

What is happening • Observations of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation or Gulf Stream System since the 1980s have shown a strengthening in the 1990s and a weakening in the 2000s, with no clear overall trend. • Shifts in North-east Atlantic circulation, leading to a greater influence of warmer subtropical-origin waters which can impact marine ecosystems and economically important fish species such as mackerel. The changing subpolar ocean circulation is also having impacts on the food supply for deep-sea ecosystems. • The subpolar gyre recorded its freshest values on record in the 2010s. Ongoing freshwater build-up in the rapidly changing Arctic Ocean may exacerbate this freshening. What could happen • Projections from climate models consistently project a weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation due to anthropogenic climate change. • Warming of Atlantic waters is expected to reduce the depth of mixed layers and limit nutrient supply to surface layers.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Climate change; impacts; ocean circulation; UK; Ireland;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Geography Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Institutes > Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units, ICARUS
Item ID:	17450
Depositing User:	Gerard McCarthy
Date Deposited:	17 Aug 2023 15:34
Journal or Publication Title:	MCCIP Science Review
Publisher:	MCCIP Science Review
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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