Ross Gyre variability modulates oceanic heat supply toward the West Antarctic continental shelf

Channing J. Prend; Graeme A. MacGilchrist; Georgy E. Manucharyan; Rachel Q. Pang; Ruth Moorman; Andrew F. Thompson; Stephen M. Griffies; Matthew R. Mazloff; Lynne D. Talley; Sarah T. Gille

doi:10.1038/s43247-024-01207-y

Ross Gyre variability modulates oceanic heat supply toward the West Antarctic continental shelf

Channing J. Prend^*, Graeme A. MacGilchrist, Georgy E. Manucharyan, Rachel Q. Pang, Ruth Moorman, Andrew F. Thompson, Stephen M. Griffies, Matthew R. Mazloff, Lynne D. Talley, Sarah T. Gille

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Earth & Environmental Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

West Antarctic Ice Sheet mass loss is a major source of uncertainty in sea level projections. The primary driver of this melting is oceanic heat from Circumpolar Deep Water originating offshore in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Yet, in assessing melt variability, open ocean processes have received considerably less attention than those governing cross-shelf exchange. Here, we use Lagrangian particle release experiments in an ocean model to investigate the pathways by which Circumpolar Deep Water moves toward the continental shelf across the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. We show that Ross Gyre expansion, linked to wind and sea ice variability, increases poleward heat transport along the gyre’s eastern limb and the relative fraction of transport toward the Amundsen Sea. Ross Gyre variability, therefore, influences oceanic heat supply toward the West Antarctic continental slope. Understanding remote controls on basal melt is necessary to predict the ice sheet response to anthropogenic forcing.

Original language	English
Article number	47
Number of pages	10
Journal	Communications Earth & Environment
Volume	5
Early online date	22 Jan 2024
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01207-y
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 22 Jan 2024

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Final published version, 11.5 MBLicence: CC BY

CO2 and climate change: CO2 and climate change: deciphering the role of the high-latitude oceans
MacGilchrist, G. (PI)
Medical Research Council
17/09/22 → 16/09/26
Project: Standard

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Prend, C. J., MacGilchrist, G. A., Manucharyan, G. E., Pang, R. Q., Moorman, R., Thompson, A. F., Griffies, S. M., Mazloff, M. R., Talley, L. D., & Gille, S. T. (2024). Ross Gyre variability modulates oceanic heat supply toward the West Antarctic continental shelf. Communications Earth & Environment, 5, Article 47. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01207-y

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title = "Ross Gyre variability modulates oceanic heat supply toward the West Antarctic continental shelf",

abstract = "West Antarctic Ice Sheet mass loss is a major source of uncertainty in sea level projections. The primary driver of this melting is oceanic heat from Circumpolar Deep Water originating offshore in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Yet, in assessing melt variability, open ocean processes have received considerably less attention than those governing cross-shelf exchange. Here, we use Lagrangian particle release experiments in an ocean model to investigate the pathways by which Circumpolar Deep Water moves toward the continental shelf across the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. We show that Ross Gyre expansion, linked to wind and sea ice variability, increases poleward heat transport along the gyre{\textquoteright}s eastern limb and the relative fraction of transport toward the Amundsen Sea. Ross Gyre variability, therefore, influences oceanic heat supply toward the West Antarctic continental slope. Understanding remote controls on basal melt is necessary to predict the ice sheet response to anthropogenic forcing.",

author = "Prend, {Channing J.} and MacGilchrist, {Graeme A.} and Manucharyan, {Georgy E.} and Pang, {Rachel Q.} and Ruth Moorman and Thompson, {Andrew F.} and Griffies, {Stephen M.} and Mazloff, {Matthew R.} and Talley, {Lynne D.} and Gille, {Sarah T.}",

note = "C.J.P., G.A.M., M.R.M., L.D.T., and S.T.G. were supported by NSF PLR-1425989 and OPP-1936222 (Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling project). C.J.P. received additional support from a NOAA Climate & Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship. G.A.M. received additional support from UKRI Grant Ref. MR/W013835/1. G.E.M. was supported by NSF OPP-2220969. R.Q.P. was supported by the High Meadows Environmental Institute Internship Program. R.M. was supported by the General Sir John Monash Foundation. A.F.T. was supported by NSF OPP-1644172 and NASA grant 80NSSC21K0916. M.R.M. also acknowledges funding from NSF awards OCE-1924388 and OPP-2319829 and NASA awards 80NSSC22K0387 and 80NSSC20K1076.",

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doi = "10.1038/s43247-024-01207-y",

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AU - Prend, Channing J.

AU - MacGilchrist, Graeme A.

AU - Manucharyan, Georgy E.

AU - Pang, Rachel Q.

AU - Moorman, Ruth

AU - Thompson, Andrew F.

AU - Griffies, Stephen M.

AU - Mazloff, Matthew R.

AU - Talley, Lynne D.

AU - Gille, Sarah T.

N1 - C.J.P., G.A.M., M.R.M., L.D.T., and S.T.G. were supported by NSF PLR-1425989 and OPP-1936222 (Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling project). C.J.P. received additional support from a NOAA Climate & Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship. G.A.M. received additional support from UKRI Grant Ref. MR/W013835/1. G.E.M. was supported by NSF OPP-2220969. R.Q.P. was supported by the High Meadows Environmental Institute Internship Program. R.M. was supported by the General Sir John Monash Foundation. A.F.T. was supported by NSF OPP-1644172 and NASA grant 80NSSC21K0916. M.R.M. also acknowledges funding from NSF awards OCE-1924388 and OPP-2319829 and NASA awards 80NSSC22K0387 and 80NSSC20K1076.

PY - 2024/1/22

Y1 - 2024/1/22

N2 - West Antarctic Ice Sheet mass loss is a major source of uncertainty in sea level projections. The primary driver of this melting is oceanic heat from Circumpolar Deep Water originating offshore in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Yet, in assessing melt variability, open ocean processes have received considerably less attention than those governing cross-shelf exchange. Here, we use Lagrangian particle release experiments in an ocean model to investigate the pathways by which Circumpolar Deep Water moves toward the continental shelf across the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. We show that Ross Gyre expansion, linked to wind and sea ice variability, increases poleward heat transport along the gyre’s eastern limb and the relative fraction of transport toward the Amundsen Sea. Ross Gyre variability, therefore, influences oceanic heat supply toward the West Antarctic continental slope. Understanding remote controls on basal melt is necessary to predict the ice sheet response to anthropogenic forcing.

AB - West Antarctic Ice Sheet mass loss is a major source of uncertainty in sea level projections. The primary driver of this melting is oceanic heat from Circumpolar Deep Water originating offshore in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Yet, in assessing melt variability, open ocean processes have received considerably less attention than those governing cross-shelf exchange. Here, we use Lagrangian particle release experiments in an ocean model to investigate the pathways by which Circumpolar Deep Water moves toward the continental shelf across the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. We show that Ross Gyre expansion, linked to wind and sea ice variability, increases poleward heat transport along the gyre’s eastern limb and the relative fraction of transport toward the Amundsen Sea. Ross Gyre variability, therefore, influences oceanic heat supply toward the West Antarctic continental slope. Understanding remote controls on basal melt is necessary to predict the ice sheet response to anthropogenic forcing.

U2 - 10.1038/s43247-024-01207-y

DO - 10.1038/s43247-024-01207-y

M3 - Article

SN - 2662-4435

VL - 5

JO - Communications Earth & Environment

JF - Communications Earth & Environment

M1 - 47

ER -

Ross Gyre variability modulates oceanic heat supply toward the West Antarctic continental shelf

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CO2 and climate change: CO2 and climate change: deciphering the role of the high-latitude oceans

Cite this