Title | The deglacial evolution of North Atlantic deep convection. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2011 |
Authors | Thornalley, DJR, Barker, S, Broecker, WS, Elderfield, H, I. McCave, N |
Journal | Science (New York, N.Y.) |
Volume | 331 |
Pagination | 202–5 |
Date Published | jan |
ISSN | 1095-9203 |
Abstract | Deepwater formation in the North Atlantic by open-ocean convection is an essential component of the overturning circulation of the Atlantic Ocean, which helps regulate global climate. We use water-column radiocarbon reconstructions to examine changes in northeast Atlantic convection since the Last Glacial Maximum. During cold intervals, we infer a reduction in open-ocean convection and an associated incursion of an extremely radiocarbon ((14)C)-depleted water mass, interpreted to be Antarctic Intermediate Water. Comparing the timing of deep convection changes in the northeast and northwest Atlantic, we suggest that, despite a strong control on Greenland temperature by northeast Atlantic convection, reduced open-ocean convection in both the northwest and northeast Atlantic is necessary to account for contemporaneous perturbations in atmospheric circulation. |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21233385 |
DOI | 10.1126/science.1196812 |
PubMed ID | 21233385 |