Synchronous and proportional deglacial changes in Atlantic meridional overturning and northeast Brazilian precipitation

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Mulitza, Stefan ; Chiessi, Cristiano M. ; Schefuss, Enno ; Lippold, Joerg ; Wichmann, David ; Antz, Benny ; Mackensen, Andreas ; Paul, Andre ; Prange, Matthias ; Rehfeld, Kira ; Werner, Martin ; Bickert, Torsten ; Frank, Norbert ; Kuhnert, Henning ; Lynch-Stieglitz, Jean ; Portilho-Ramos, Rodrigo C. ; Sawakuchi, Andre O. ; Schulz, Michael ; Schwenk, Tilmann ; Tiedemann, Ralf ; Vahlenkamp, Maximilian ; Zhang, Yancheng

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PALEOCEANOGRAPHY; v. 32, n. 6, p. 622-633, JUN 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 24

Abstract

Changes in heat transport associated with fluctuations in the strength of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) are widely considered to affect the position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), but the temporal immediacy of this teleconnection has to date not been resolved. Based on a high-resolution marine sediment sequence over the last deglaciation, we provide evidence for a synchronous and near-linear link between changes in the Atlantic interhemispheric sea surface temperature difference and continental precipitation over northeast Brazil. The tight coupling between AMOC strength, sea surface temperature difference, and precipitation changes over northeast Brazil unambiguously points to a rapid and proportional adjustment of the ITCZ location to past changes in the Atlantic meridional heat transport. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/17517-3 - Response of the Western Atlantic Ocean to changes in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation: from millennial to seasonal variability
• Grantee: Cristiano Mazur Chiessi
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Young Investigators