eCite Digital Repository
Changes in the global hydrological-cycle inferred from ocean salinity
Citation
Helm, KP and Bindoff, NL and Church, JA, Changes in the global hydrological-cycle inferred from ocean salinity, Geophysical Research Letters, 37, (L18701) EJ ISSN 0094-8276 (2010) [Refereed Article]
![]() | PDF Restricted - Request a copy 752Kb |
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2010 American Geophysical Union.
Official URL: http://www.agu.org/
Abstract
Using global datasets of in situ observations, we calculate
salinity changes on ocean‐density surfaces between 1970
and 2005. This reveals a global pattern of increased salinities
near the upper‐ocean salinity‐maximum layer (average depth
of ∼100 m) and decreased salinities near the intermediate
salinity minimum (average depth of ∼700 m). The salinity
changes imply a 3 ± 2% decrease in precipitation‐minus
evaporation (P‐E) over the mid and low latitude oceans in
both hemispheres, a 7 ± 4% increase in the Northern Hemisphere
high latitudes, and a 16 ± 6% increase in the Southern
Ocean since 1970. This pattern of increased precipitation at
high latitudes and decreased precipitation in the subtropics is
reflected in both land records and in the short satellite records.
The quantification of the atmospheric signal of climate
change on ocean salinity supports model projections, and
extends the growing evidence for an acceleration of the
Earth’s water cycle.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | global hydrological cycle, ocean salinity, climate change, global climate models |
Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
Research Group: | Oceanography |
Research Field: | Physical Oceanography |
Objective Division: | Environment |
Objective Group: | Climate and Climate Change |
Objective Field: | Climate Variability (excl. Social Impacts) |
UTAS Author: | Helm, KP (Mr Kieran Helm) |
UTAS Author: | Bindoff, NL (Professor Nathan Bindoff) |
UTAS Author: | Church, JA (Dr John Church) |
ID Code: | 68293 |
Year Published: | 2010 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 94 |
Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2011-03-10 |
Last Modified: | 2014-07-30 |
Downloads: | 3 View Download Statistics |
Repository Staff Only: item control page