Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Gévaudan M., Jouanno Julien, Durand Fabien, Morvan Guillaume, Renault Lionel, Samson G. (2021). Influence of ocean salinity stratification on the tropical Atlantic Ocean surface. Climate Dynamics, 57 (1-2), 321-340. ISSN 0930-7575.

Titre du document
Influence of ocean salinity stratification on the tropical Atlantic Ocean surface
Année de publication
2021
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000629110200001
Auteurs
Gévaudan M., Jouanno Julien, Durand Fabien, Morvan Guillaume, Renault Lionel, Samson G.
Source
Climate Dynamics, 2021, 57 (1-2), 321-340 ISSN 0930-7575
The tropical Atlantic Ocean receives an important freshwater supply from river runoff and from precipitation in the intertropical convergence zone. It results in a strong salinity stratification that may influence vertical mixing, and thus sea surface temperature (SST) and air-sea fluxes. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of salinity stratification on the tropical Atlantic surface variables. This is achieved through comparison among regional 1/4 degrees coupled ocean-atmosphere simulations for which the contribution of salinity stratification in the vertical mixing scheme is included or discarded. The analysis reveals that the strong salinity stratification in the northwestern tropical Atlantic induces a significant increase of SST (0.2 degrees C-0.5 degrees C) and rainfall (+ 19%) in summer, hereby intensifying the ocean-atmosphere water cycle, despite a negative atmospheric feedback. Indeed, the atmosphere dampens the oceanic response through an increase in latent heat loss and a reduction of shortwave radiation reaching the ocean surface. In winter, the impacts of salinity stratification are much weaker, most probably because of a deeper mixed layer at this time. In the equatorial region, we found that salinity stratification induces a year-round shoaling of the thermocline, reinforcing the cold tongue cool anomaly in summer. The concept of barrier layer has not been identified as relevant to explain the SST response to salinity stratification in our region of interest.
Plan de classement
Sciences fondamentales / Techniques d'analyse et de recherche [020] ; Limnologie physique / Océanographie physique [032]
Description Géographique
ATLANTIQUE ; ZONE TROPICALE
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010081085]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010081085
Contact