Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

The effect of the NAO on sea level and on mass changes in the Mediterranean Sea

TitleThe effect of the NAO on sea level and on mass changes in the Mediterranean Sea
Publication TypeArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsTsimplis, M.N., Calafat F.M., Marcos M., Jordà G., Gomis D., Fenoglio-Marc L., Struglia Maria Vittoria, Josey S.A., and Chambers D.P.
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research: Oceans
Volume118
Pagination944 – 952
Type of ArticleArticle
ISSN21699291
Abstract

[1] Sea level in the Mediterranean Sea over the period 1993-2011 is studied on the basis of altimetry, temperature, and salinity data and gravity measurements from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) (2002-2010). An observed increase in sea level corresponds to a linear sea level trend of 3.0 ± 0.5 mm/yr dominated by the increase in the oceanic mass in the basin. The increase in sea level does not, however, take place linearly but over two 2-3 year periods, each contributing 2-3 cm of sea level. Variability in the basin sea level and its mass component is dominated by the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The NAO influence on sea level is primarily linked with atmospheric pressure changes and local wind field changes. However, neither the inverse barometer correction nor a barotropic sea level model forced by atmospheric pressure and wind can remove fully the NAO influence on the basin sea level. Thus, a third contributing mechanism linked with the NAO is suggested. During winter 2010, a low NAO index caused a basin sea level increase of 12 cm which was almost wholly due to mass changes and is evidenced by GRACE. About 8 cm of the observed sea level change can be accounted for as due to atmospheric pressure and wind changes. The residual 4 cm of sea level change is caused by the newly identified contribution. The physical mechanisms that may be responsible for this additional contribution are discussed. © 2013 American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

Notes

Cited by: 74; All Open Access, Bronze Open Access, Green Open Access

URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84878935518&doi=10.1002%2fjgrc.20078&partnerID=40&md5=ea8849b7a928aa026af97652c0fc77f1
DOI10.1002/jgrc.20078
Citation KeyTsimplis2013944