Circulation and transformation of Atlantic water in the Eurasian Basin and the contribution of the Fram Strait inflow branch to the Arctic Ocean heat budget

摘要: Abstract The inflows of Atlantic water from the Nordic Seas to Arctic Ocean through Fram Strait and over Barents Sea are examined their pathways transformations in Eurasian Basin described based primarily on hydrographic observations two cruises with RV Polarstern 2007 2011. contrast between high salinity core Nansen lower Amundsen Basin, combined a minimum below layer, suggest that branch mainly remains while continues along continental slope, enters provides most Makarov Canada basins. To examine consequences such circulation pattern recently published estimates in- outflows volume liquid freshwater Sea, Bering Canadian Archipelago as well river runoff, net precipitation ice export reviewed added together. achieve balances 2.3 Sv 100 mSv respectively required. This is reasonably close reported transport estimates. separated into parts, upper layer transports, less dense than entering water, or denser water. largest outflow occurs 1.65 Sv, almost exclusively exported 0.64 Sv leading unrealistically low salinities compared observations. north Svalbard transformed saline surface melting sea ice, which can supply necessary higher (halocline) layer. 1.23 Sv halocline 34.2 must be obtain more realistic 33.1, total 1.84 Sv East Greenland Current. Existing transports out different temperature classes used estimate heat loss Strait. About 10 TW supplied atmosphere addition 24 occurring connection formation If hypothesis true, it implies 5 15 W m −2 depending upon how much temporarily stored column. 2 W m commonly cited ocean flux Ocean.