Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/C509315/1
Arctic regulation of the thermohaline circulation (ARTHER)
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor S Bacon, University College London, Mullard Space Science Laboratory
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor D Stevens, University of East Anglia, Mathematics
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr SW Laxon, University College London, Earth Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr AC Coward, National Oceanography Centre, Science and Technology
- Grant held at:
- University College London, Mullard Space Science Laboratory
- Science Area:
- Marine
- Freshwater
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Marine
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Science Topics:
- Ocean Circulation
- Ocean - Atmosphere Interact.
- Glacial & Cryospheric Systems
- Climate & Climate Change
- Abstract:
- Both the scientific press and the broadcast media have become interested in the conjecture that increased melting of polar ice in a globally-warming climate could cause severe regional cooling, effectively by 'capping' the cooling and sinking of warm waters at high latitudes. Projections by climate forecasters of future climate show that the 'Conveyor Belt', the northwards movement of warm waters in the Atlantic balanced by the southwards movement of this cooled, deep water, could slow down or stop, with drastic consequences particularly for north-west Europe, including the UK. Now much of the southgoing water comes from Arctic, and it flows over a shallow submarine ridge between Greenland, Iceland and Scotland before sinking to great depths as it travels south. It is a surprising fact that no-one really knows how this water is 'made' - meaning where and how the warm surface waters get converted to the cold southgoing deep waters. It is a very difficult question to answer with measurements because you really seem to need to know everything, everywhere, at all times, and we just cannot manage that. Therefore our project will use a very high-resolution numerical model (like a weather forecast model in the ocean) to solve the problem, and we will make sure that our model does the best possible job by comparing it with some special high-quality measurements of ocean circulation and sea ice. This will let us tell climate forecasters how to make these cooled waters correctly, so that they will do a better job with their forecasts.
- Period of Award:
- 1 Aug 2005 - 31 Jul 2008
- Value:
- £115,803 Split Award
Authorised funds only
- NERC Reference:
- NE/C509315/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Directed Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Rapid Climate Change
This grant award has a total value of £115,803
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs | Total - Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £2,265 | £75,337 | £106 | £34,655 | £3,441 |
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