The Vital Global Importance of Southern Ocean Circulation from the Surface to the Deepest Depths

I have chatted recently in a number of videos on the vital importance of the Southern Ocean currents at connecting all the oceans of the world, from the surface water to the very deepest depths.

I chat about this UN report, or rather a chapter in a UN report on the Southern Oceans. What I really like in this report, and the purpose behind this video, are three illustrations in particular, showing you the main water flow around Antarctica, a cross section of the different water layers, and an excellent illustration that is centered on Antarctica, showing connections between Antarctic Circumpolar Currents to flow in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans from the surface to the deepest depths.

Article: “Chapter 36H. Southern Ocean”:

“The Southern Ocean is the common denomination given to the southern extrema of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, extending southwards to the Antarctic Continent.

Its main oceanographic feature, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), is the world’s only global current, flowing eastwards around Antarctica in a closed circulation with its flow unimpeded by continents.

The ACC is today the largest ocean current, and the major means of exchange of water between oceans; it is believed to be the cause of the development of Antarctic continental glaciation by reducing meridional heat transport across the Southern Ocean.

The formation of eddies in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current has a significant role in the distribution of plankton and in the warming observed in the
Southern Ocean.

As with the ACC, the westward-flowing Antarctic Coastal Current, or East Wind Drift (EWD), is wind-driven.

These two current systems are connected by a series of gyres and retroflections (e.g., gyres in the Prydz Bay region, in the Weddell Sea, in the
Bellingshausen Sea)”

[PaulHBeckwith]

I have chatted recently in a number of videos on the vital importance of the Southern Ocean currents at connecting all the oceans of the world, from the surface water to the very deepest depths.

I chat about this UN report, or rather a chapter in a UN report on the Southern Oceans. What I really like in this report, and the purpose behind this video, are three illustrations in particular, showing you the main water flow around Antarctica, a cross section of the different water layers, and an excellent illustration that is centered on Antarctica, showing connections between Antarctic Circumpolar Currents to flow in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans from the surface to the deepest depths.

Article: “Chapter 36H. Southern Ocean”:

“The Southern Ocean is the common denomination given to the southern extrema of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, extending southwards to the Antarctic Continent.

Its main oceanographic feature, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), is the world’s only global current, flowing eastwards around Antarctica in a closed circulation with its flow unimpeded by continents.

The ACC is today the largest ocean current, and the major means of exchange of water between oceans; it is believed to be the cause of the development of Antarctic continental glaciation by reducing meridional heat transport across the Southern Ocean.

The formation of eddies in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current has a significant role in the distribution of plankton and in the warming observed in the
Southern Ocean.

As with the ACC, the westward-flowing Antarctic Coastal Current, or East Wind Drift (EWD), is wind-driven.

These two current systems are connected by a series of gyres and retroflections (e.g., gyres in the Prydz Bay region, in the Weddell Sea, in the
Bellingshausen Sea)”

[punditgi]

So glad you are calling much needed attention to this topic.

[johnthomasriley]

It is all connected. We are all connected.

[sundaydriver]

There’s only one vast ocean, which is functioning as a heat sink. It’s reached its limit and is starting to return the heat. One of the well over 60 self reinforcing feedback loops noted previously by Guy McPherson

[Deebz]

Yet another great paper to peruse. Loving these PDF's.... Cheers Paul!

[lawrencetaylor]

Merci for this one. This is a good one for also understanding Deep Ocean Heat. Jim Massa is not happy that the EEI doesn't take this into account. Any climate modelling should have close cooperation with oceanographers.

[petrlonsky]

There is very good reference to krill decrease in antarctic seas due to loss of population of whales. Cycle of iron was totally disrupted by intensive whaling (oil extraction prior fossil oil). See also comments on this topic by Sir. David King. Thank You, Paul 🐋

[basilbrushbooshieboosh]

And the two gyre's closest to Antarctica are where the other two major chimneys are, taking water down to the abyssal water circulation conveyor, as well as the two chimneys close to Greenland and Iceland. Is that right?

[michaelschiessl]

Thank you Paul for this exceptional information your sharing with us.

[micheleploeser]

This stuff should be in a sixth grade science class but for example Florida’s governor does Not want children teenagers to learn anything about this subject on this video that’s why

[gilbertsatchell]

Fantastic video, thanks Paul. I recently read a report that the scientists can't figure out why Antarctica is heating up so fast. Using the circulation graphic is it safe to say that the over-heated Atlantic ocean is being sucked into the Antarctic raising the temps at all levels? Is the rate of water change faster from the Atlantic? If it is then it might be blocking the Indian ocean and that is why the Indian ocean shows so hot on the Earth null school map. Just trying to think things through. Always questions, no answers 🙂

[amcreative]

Are the chimneys like pipes, that bring the waters to different places?

[chyfields]

In this reality, Mother Earth is a living entity, with circulatory systems and a consciousness of Her own.

The ancient wisdom: “As above, so below ‘ indicates that we are doing to Her what cancer does to the human.

[davidwatson]

Algo boost! Generally speaking a crystal flute

[irinaratushinskaja]

Hi, Paul! Love your work/channel!

I recall a scientist talking (in the 90's) about the "deep salty current" that would bring more heat to the northern parts of the Atlantic than the Gulf stream. I think he talked it being at 800-ish meters deep, cooler than the surface waters and running south to north under the Golf. He said the Golf is (merely) keeping the North European sea ports open, but the bulk of the heat actually comes from the deeper current.

I presume it would be the "UCDW" of this presentation. Q: How much heat is the UCDW bringing up north relative to the surface currents?

[darthex]

The southern ocean, singular, not plural!