Skip to main content
Log in

Contribution of oceanic circulation to the polewar heat flux

  • Research Papers
  • Published:
Journal of Ocean University of China Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Oceanic contribution to the poleward heat flux in the climate system includes two components: the sensible heat flux and the latent heat flux. Although the latent heat flux has been classified as atmospheric heat flux exclusively, it is argued that oceanic control over this component of poleward heat flux should play a critically important role. The so-called swamp ocean model practice is analyzed in detail, and the critical role of oceanic circulation in the establishment of the meridional moisture transport is emphasized.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bryden, H. L., and S. Imawaki, 2001. Ocean heat transport. In: ‘Ocean Circulation and Climate’, International Geophysical Series. G. Siedler, J. Church, and J. Gould, eds., Academic Press, New York, 455–474.

    Google Scholar 

  • DaSilva, A.M., C.C. Young, and S. Levitus, 1994. Algorithms and procedures. In: Atlas of Surface Marine Data, 1994. Vol.1. NOAA Atlas NESDIS 6, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C., 83pp. [G1046. Cl N33 v.l].

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaffen, D. J., R. D. Rosen, D. A. Salstein, and J. S. Boyle, 1997. Evaluation of tropospheric water vapor simulations from the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project. J. Clim., 10: 1648–1661.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hellermann, S., and M. Rosenstein, 1983. Normal monthly wind stress over the world ocean with error estimates. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 13: 1093–1104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hogg, N. G., and W. E. Johns, 1995. Western boundary currents. U.S. National Report to International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics 1991–1994. Rev. Geophys., (suppl.): 1311–1334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, R. X., 1993. Real freshwater flux as a natural boundary condition for the salinity balance and thermohaline circulation forced by evaporation and precipitation. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 23: 2428–2446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, R. X., and R. W. Schmitt, 1993. The Goldsbrough-Stommel circulation of the world oceans. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 23: 1277–1284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levitus, S., and T. P. Boyer, 1994. NOAA Atlas NESDIS 4. In: World Ocean Atlas, Vol.4. Temperature. U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C., 129 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pacanofsky, R. C, 1995. MOM2 Documentation User’ s Guide and Reference Manual. Version 2. GFDL Ocean Technical Report No. 3, GFDL/NOAA, Princeton University, Princeton, 232 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peixoto, J. P., and A. H. Oort, 1992. Physics of Climate. American Institute of Physics, New York, 520 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rintoul, S.R., C.W. Hughes, and D. Olbers, 2001. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current system. In: Ocean Circulation and Climate, International Geophysical Series. G. Siedler, J. Church, and J. Gould, eds., Academy Press, New York, 271–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmitt, R.W., 1995. The ocean component of the global water cycle. U. S. National Report to International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics 1991–1994. Rev. Geophys., (suppl.): 1395–1409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trenberth, K. E., and J. M. Caron, 2001. Estimates of meridional atmosphere and ocean heat transport. J. Clim., 14: 3433–3443.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warren, B. A., 1999. Approximating the energy transport across oceanic sections. J. Geophys. Res., 104: 7915–7920.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wijffels, S. E., M. M. Hall, T. Joyce, D.J. Torres, P. Hacker, et al., 1998. Multiple deep gyres of the western North Pacific: A WOCE section along 149″E. J. Geophys. Res., 103: 12985–13009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, K.Q., and J. Marotzke, 1999. The importance of open-boundary estimation for an Indian Ocean GCM-data system. J. Mar. Res., 57: 305–334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Huang, R. Contribution of oceanic circulation to the polewar heat flux. J Ocean Univ. China 4, 277–287 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-005-0048-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-005-0048-9

Key Words

Navigation