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Thermohaline Ocean Circulation by Stefan Rahmstorf - Coggle Diagram
Thermohaline Ocean Circulation by Stefan Rahmstorf
Circulation Failure
"Short Circuit of Thermohaline Circulation
Climate consequences: cooling in the North Atlantic due to decreased heat transport
Entire circulation slows down
Freshwater influx disables water from reaching sinking density.
Figure 9: Freshwater Forcing in terms of NADW Flow
X Axis
represents amount of freshwater input into the North Atlantic
As freshwater input increases, thermohaline circulation decreases but not in a linear manner
Y Axis
Measures flow strength through NADW formation
Transition between convection patterns
changing structure of deepwater formation
Stommel Bifurcation (S)
S is a critical threshold where more freshwater forcing would cease NADW formation
Maintaining steady circulation
Saltier water is more dense- leads to more sinking
Colder water is also dense, promoting sinking
Consequences of decreasing THC
Reduced circulation could retain even more freshwater
Could cause changes in global climate
What is Thermohaline Circulation?
Large Scale ocean circulation driven by temperature differences and salinity in the seas
Cold and salty water becomes dense and sinks underneath warmer, fresher water
This drives a "conveyer belt" of ocean currents and regulates the global climate
Crucial for distributing heat from the equator to high latitudes
Tipping Point
Research suggests that there is a "tipping point" where circulation could cease
Changes in salinity create ripple effects across the entire circulation system