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<p>Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are extreme ocean events characterized by anomalously warm upper-ocean temperatures, posing significant threats to marine ecosystems. While various factors driving MHWs have been extensively studied, the role of ocean salinity remains poorly understood. This study investigates the influence of salinity on the major 2013–2014 MHW event in the Northeast Pacific using reanalysis data and climate model outputs. Our results show that salinity variabilities are crucial for the development of the MHW event. Notably, a significant negative correlation exists between sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) and sea surface salinity anomalies (SSSAs) during the MHW, with the SSSAs emerging simultaneously with SSTAs in the same area. Negative salinity anomalies (SAs) result in a shallower mixed layer, which suppresses vertical mixing and thus sustains the upper-ocean warming. Moreover, salinity has a greater impact on mixed layer depth anomalies than temperature. Model sensitivity experiments further demonstrate that negative SAs during MHWs amplify positive SSTAs by enhancing upper-ocean stratification, intensifying the MHW. Additionally, our analysis indicates that the SAs are predominantly driven by local freshwater flux anomalies, which are mainly induced by positive precipitation anomalies during the MHW event.</p>

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Modulation of marine heatwaves by salinity effect in the Northeast Pacific Ocean in 2013–2014

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年1月1日

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  • Xiaokun Wang,
  • Hai Zhi,
  • Ronghua Zhang,
  • Jiaxiang Gao,
  • Pengfei Lin

摘要

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are extreme ocean events characterized by anomalously warm upper-ocean temperatures, posing significant threats to marine ecosystems. While various factors driving MHWs have been extensively studied, the role of ocean salinity remains poorly understood. This study investigates the influence of salinity on the major 2013–2014 MHW event in the Northeast Pacific using reanalysis data and climate model outputs. Our results show that salinity variabilities are crucial for the development of the MHW event. Notably, a significant negative correlation exists between sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) and sea surface salinity anomalies (SSSAs) during the MHW, with the SSSAs emerging simultaneously with SSTAs in the same area. Negative salinity anomalies (SAs) result in a shallower mixed layer, which suppresses vertical mixing and thus sustains the upper-ocean warming. Moreover, salinity has a greater impact on mixed layer depth anomalies than temperature. Model sensitivity experiments further demonstrate that negative SAs during MHWs amplify positive SSTAs by enhancing upper-ocean stratification, intensifying the MHW. Additionally, our analysis indicates that the SAs are predominantly driven by local freshwater flux anomalies, which are mainly induced by positive precipitation anomalies during the MHW event.