Mesoscale eddies inhibit intensification of the Subantarctic Front under global warming

Dapeng Li; Zhao Jing; Wenju Cai; Zhengguang Zhang; Jiuxin Shi; Xiaohui Ma; Bolan Gan; Haiyuan Yang; Zhaohui Chen; Lixin Wu

doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ad8173

Environmental Research Letters (Jan 2024)

Mesoscale eddies inhibit intensification of the Subantarctic Front under global warming

Dapeng Li,
Zhao Jing,
Wenju Cai,
Zhengguang Zhang,
Jiuxin Shi,
Xiaohui Ma,
Bolan Gan,
Haiyuan Yang,
Zhaohui Chen,
Lixin Wu

Affiliations

Dapeng Li: ORCiD; Affiliation for Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System and Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, Ocean University of China , Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
Zhao Jing: Affiliation for Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System and Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, Ocean University of China , Qingdao, People’s Republic of China; Affiliation for Laoshan Laboratory , Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
Wenju Cai: Affiliation for Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System and Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, Ocean University of China , Qingdao, People’s Republic of China; Affiliation for Laoshan Laboratory , Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
Zhengguang Zhang: Affiliation for Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System and Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, Ocean University of China , Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
Jiuxin Shi: Affiliation for Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System and Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, Ocean University of China , Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
Xiaohui Ma: Affiliation for Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System and Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, Ocean University of China , Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
Bolan Gan: Affiliation for Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System and Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, Ocean University of China , Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
Haiyuan Yang: Affiliation for Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System and Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, Ocean University of China , Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
Zhaohui Chen: Affiliation for Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System and Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, Ocean University of China , Qingdao, People’s Republic of China
Lixin Wu: Affiliation for Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System and Key Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, Ocean University of China , Qingdao, People’s Republic of China; Affiliation for Laoshan Laboratory , Qingdao, People’s Republic of China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad8173
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 19, no. 11
p. 114054

Abstract

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Oceanic mesoscale eddies are important dynamical processes in the Southern Ocean. Using high-resolution (∼0.1° for the ocean) Community Earth System Model (CESM-HR) simulations under a high-carbon emission scenario, we investigate the role of mesoscale eddies in regulating the response of the Subantarctic Front (SAF) to global warming. The CESM-HR simulates more realistic oceanic fronts and mesoscale eddies in the Southern Ocean than a coarse-resolution (∼1° for the ocean) CESM. Under global warming, the SAF is projected to intensify. The mean flow temperature advection intensifies the front, whereas the mesoscale-eddy-induced temperature advection and atmospheric dampening play primary (∼67%) and secondary (∼28%) roles in counteracting the effect of mean flow temperature advection. Our study suggests the importance of mesoscale eddies on inhibiting the SAF intensification under global warming and necessity of mesoscale-eddy-resolving simulations for faithful projection of future climate changes in the Southern Ocean.

Published in Environmental Research Letters

ISSN: 1748-9326 (Online)
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering; Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences; Science: Physics
Website: https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/1748-9326

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