RAPID - Round 1 - The role of sloping topography in the overturning circulation of the North Atlantic Project

Introduction

The role of sloping topography in controlling the overturning of the North Atlantic will be examined using a hierarchy of isopycnic model experiments with realistic topography for idealised and realistic forcing. The study will focus on how sloping topography affects where water masses are formed, the communication of overturning signals via wave propagation, as well as the transport, recirculation and evolution of dense, water masses. The study will provide a context to interpret monitoring signals from RAPID identifying how overturning signals are communicated from high to low latitudes along sloping western boundaries. A tied studentship will examine how the circulation of North Atlantic Deep Water alters in a glacial environment, the separate effect of forcing and sea level changes, and the large-scale consequences for atmospheric CO2 uptake.

Project Duration: 1 Jan 2004 - 30 Jun 2008

This project is funded by NERC - Grant Ref. NER/T/S/2002/00439 - through the RAPID Climate Change NERC directed mode programme.

Availability of data

Two modelling studies will be carried out: an idealised process study and a palaeo-circulation experiment. The process study involves running an isopycnal model (1.4deg resolution and 6 vertical layers) for the North Atlantic to examine the processes behind observed signals in monitoring arrays. It is not yet clear what the suite of runs will comprise, however, the timescales of interest are season to decade. The palaeo-circulation study will be carried out within a tied studentship, and will examine glacial-interglacial changes in circulation and the effects on carbon draw down.

The main output is likely to be model runs from the tied studentship, and possibly a suite of runs from the process study model. It is expected that these will be included in the RAPID dataset and final product.

Access to data and information

Data and software supplied from this project to the BADC will be stored in the BADC RAPID archive.

Access to the archive is currently restricted to participants to this particular project. If you are a programme participant and would like to access this RAPID project data, then please apply for access^* to the RAPID data.

You will be requested to abide by the RAPID Climate Change Data Policy.
Data management, availability and use are ruled by the RAPID Climate Change Programme Data Management Plan (PDF document).
Access to Hadley Centre model data held at the BADC is subject to the signature of the NERC-Met Office agreement.

^* Note that to apply for access to this dataset, you should first register as a BADC user (anyone is allowed to register). If you are already a registered BADC user, skip this step. If you have forgotten your BADC user ID and/or password, please contact the BADC helpdesk at badc@rl.ac.uk. To register as a new BADC user, please follow the instructions online.