"Study reveals wind's crucial role in Antarctic deep water formation and global ocean circulation"
A study conducted by researchers at the University of New South Wales reveals that wind plays a crucial role in the formation of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), a dense and cold water mass that drives global ocean circulation. Weaker easterly winds or a reversal to westerlies reduce the amount of sea ice transported into the region, leading to the formation of "sea ice factories" and the expulsion of salt into the ocean. This increases the density of the water, causing it to sink and draw in warmer offshore water. The decline in AABW formation has consequences for ocean temperatures, nutrient distribution, and marine ecosystems, as well as global climate and sea level rise.
