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- Title
Feature of thermohaline circulation in two-layer conceptual model based on energy constraint.
- Authors
Shen, Yang; Guan, YuPing
- Abstract
The assertion that the thermohaline circulation (THC) is driven and sustained by mechanical energy has been increasingly accepted. 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 transition' in the THC from a stable saline to a stable thermal mode, which further develops the THC energy theory.
- Subjects
MERIDIONAL overturning circulation; MECHANICAL energy; CLIMATE change; SEAWATER salinity; STOMMEL, Henry M., 1920-1990; FRESH water
- Publication
SCIENCE CHINA Earth Sciences, 2015, Vol 58, Issue 8, p1397
- ISSN
1674-7313
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11430-015-5092-8