Interhemispheric Thermohaline Circulation in a Coupled Box Model

Abstract

The interhemispheric thermohaline circulation is examined using Rooth's three-box ocean model, whereby overturning strength is parameterized from density differences between high-latitude boxes. Recent results with general circulation models indicate that this is a better analog of the Atlantic thermohaline circulation than a single-hemisphere box model. The results are compared with those of hemispheric box model studies, where possible, and the role of asymmetrical freshwater forcing is explored.