Testing the role of Mediterranean thermohaline circulation as a sensor of transient climate events and shaker of North Atlantic Circulation (DTA.AD001.153)
Thematic area
Earth system science and environmental technologies
Project area
Cambiamenti Globali e Cicli biogeochimici: dinamiche, impatti e mitigazione (DTA.AD001)Structure responsible for the research project
Marine science institute (ISMAR)
Other structures collaborating in the research project
Project manager
FABRIZIO LIRER
Phone number: 0815423851
Email: fabrizio.lirer@iamc.cnr.it
Abstract
An innovative approach, based on both well-established and newly-developed analytical methods will be applied to characterize, qualitatively and
quantitatively, past changes in the MedTHC dynamics. Specific time windows representing very different transient periods
(18-14 ka BP; 9.5-6.5 ka BP and the last 2 kyr) will be targeted in order to understand the distinctive role that individual
forcing mechanisms exerted in controlling MedTHC changes. Particular emphasis will be placed on building robust regional
chronologies and proxy records with unprecedented high-resolution. This approach will combine proxy data from sediment
cores and deep-sea corals along the main paths of water masses as they cross the Mediterranean basins and exit into the
North Atlantic. This paleo-data analysis will be complemented with novel climate model paleo-simulations to test the
sensitivity of the AMOC to changes in Mediterranean outflow under varying AMOC conditions. The main goals are to identify:
(1) The natural range of MedTHC variability; (2) The forcings and inter-regional teleconnections driving MedTHC changes;
(3) The associated impact onto the AMOC.
Goals
xx
Start date of activity
01/01/2017
Keywords
palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology, climatology
Last update: 06/12/2024