ROMS and Meltwater Pulses

Juliana M. Marson (University of Sao Paulo - USP)
Ilana E. K. C. Wainer (University of Sao Paulo - USP)
Mauricio M. Mata (Federal University of Rio Grande - FURG)


After analyzing CCSM3 model outputs from a transient simulation since 22ka, it was concluded that Antarctic contribution for the meltwater pulse 1A (occurred at ~14ka) can affect the Southern and Atlantic Ocean’s thermohaline and dynamic structures. However, CCSM3 does not include an ice shelf component, which is essential to correctly represent the Antarctic region and its responses to a meltwater discharge. A coupled ROMS/ice shelf model is used to study physical impacts in the Southern Ocean of a meltwater pulse, its consequences on water mass variability and, ultimately, on Meridional Overturning Circulation.