The University of Queensland

Is there a climatic tipping point for Antarctic Bottom Water formation? (2022–2025)

Abstract:

Antarctic Bottom Water plays an important role in global ocean circulation and climate and yet its formation is also highly sensitive to climate change. This project will analyse new seafloor, core and water samples from the understudied Cape Darnley, East Antarctica, collected on a voyage in early 2022. This new data will be used in combination with an improved high resolution regional ocean model, to understand modern and past Antarctic Bottom Water formation under different climate states (warmer and colder than present), to determine if there are climate tipping points for the shut down of Antarctic Bottom Water formation. The anticipated benefits include a better understanding of future climate change on this important water mass.

Grant type:

ARC Discovery Projects

Researchers:

• 

  Associate Professor Helen Bostock Lyman

  Associate Professor and Deputy Head
  

  School of the Environment

  Faculty of Science

Funded by:

Australian Research Council