Mid-Holocene Tropical Atlantic Ocean links to drying of the Amazon and Greening of the Sahara

• Grant number: 19/08247-1
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: February 01, 2021 - January 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Physical Oceanography
• Principal researcher: Ilana Elazari Klein Coaracy Wainer
• Grantee: Ilana Elazari Klein Coaracy Wainer
• Home Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Francesco Salvatore Rocco Pausata ; Luciana Figueiredo Prado ; Pedro Leite da Silva Dias

Abstract

The Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project/Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (PMIP/CMIP) Mid-Holocene (MH, 6,000 yr BP) experiment considers the orbital forcing as the main driver of the climate during this period. However, the PMIP/CMIP models are not currently able to reproduce the strengthening/northward expansion of the West African Monsoon during the Green Sahara. Furthermore, the relationship between the West African and South American Monsoon for the MH is still largely unexplored. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine links between West African Monsoon and the Amazon hydroclimate related to Tropical Atlantic perturbations during the Green Sahara period. As differences in insolation seasonal cycle are not enough to represent the Green Sahara climate, simulation results with vegetation feedback and dust reduction will be used and compared to a compilation of paleorecords. Results will be linked to the Tropical Atlantic to establish how much of a control the Atlantic Ocean has over the changes in Monsoon climate in the adjacent continents. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

AGUIAR, WILTON; MEISSNER, KATRIN J.; MONTENEGRO, ALVARO; PRADO, LUCIANA; WAINER, ILANA; CARLSON, ANDERS E.; MATA, MAURICIO M. Magnitude of the 8.2 ka event freshwater forcing based on stable isotope modelling and comparison to future Greenland melting. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 11, n. 1 MAR 9 2021. Web of Science Citations: 0.