Potential effects of the marine carbon cycle on the multiple equilibria
window of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
Abstract
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is considered to
be a tipping element in the Earth System with multiple stable states.
Here, we investigate the multiple equilibria window of the AMOC within a
coupled ocean circulation-carbon cycle box model. We show that adding
couplings between the ocean circulation and the carbon cycle model
affects the multiple equilibria window of the AMOC. Increasing the total
carbon content of the system will widen the multiple equilibria window
of the AMOC, since higher atmospheric pCO2 values are accompanied by
stronger freshwater forcing over the Atlantic ocean which acts to
increase the window. Our results suggest that future changes in the
marine carbon cycle can influence AMOC stability in future climates.