Mechanism of Interdecadal Thermohaline Circulation Variability in a Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere GCM

Abstract

Abstract Interdecadal variability of the Atlantic thermohaline circulation (THC) is studied in the third version of the Hadley Centre global coupled atmosphere–ocean sea-ice general circulation model (HadCM3). A diagnostic approach is used to elucidate the mechanism that governs the variability and its impacts on climate. An irregular and heavily damped THC oscillation with a period around 25 yr is identified. The oscillation appears to be forced by the atmosphere but the ocean is responsible for setting the time scale. Following a minimum in the THC, the mechanism for phase reversal involves the accumulation of cold water in the subpolar gyre, leading to an acceleration of the gyre circulation and the North Atlantic Current. This acceleration increases the transport of saline waters into the regions of active deep convection, raising the upper-ocean density and leading, after adjustment, to acceleration of the THC. The atmosphere stimulates this THC variability in two ways: 1) by forcing the subpolar gyre through (North Atlantic Oscillation) NAO-related wind stress curl and heat flux anomalies; and 2) by direct forcing of the region of active deep convection, also through wind stress curl and heat flux anomalies. The latter is not closely related to the NAO. The mechanism for phase reversal has many similarities to that found in a previous study with a much lower resolution coupled model, suggesting that this mechanism may be quite robust. However the time scale, and details of the atmospheric forcing, differ. The THC variability in HadCM3 has significant impacts on the atmosphere not just in the Atlantic region but also more widely, throughout the global Tropics. The mechanism involves modulation by the THC of the cross-equator SST gradient in the tropical Atlantic. The SST anomalies induce a displacement of the ITCZ in the Atlantic basin with knock-on effects over the other ocean basins. These findings highlight the potential importance of the Atlantic THC as a cause of interdecadal climate variability on a global scale.