Another Year of Record Heat for the Oceans

Cheng, Lijing; Abraham, John; Trenberth, Kevin E.; Fasullo, John; Boyer, Tim; Mann, Michael E.; Zhu, Jiang; Wang, Fan; Locarnini, Ricardo; Li, Yuanlong; Zhang, Bin; Yu, Fujiang; Wan, Liying; Chen, Xingrong; Feng, Licheng; Song, Xiangzhou; Liu, Yulong; Reseghetti, Franco; Simoncelli, Simona; Gouretski, Viktor; Chen, Gengxin; Mishonov, Alexey; Reagan, Jim; Li, Guancheng

doi:10.1007/s00376-023-2385-2

Another Year of Record Heat for the Oceans

Journal Article · Tue Jan 10 23:00:00 EST 2023 · Advances in Atmospheric Sciences

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-023-2385-2· OSTI ID:2424877

Cheng, Lijing; Abraham, John; Trenberth, Kevin E.; Fasullo, John; Boyer, Tim; Mann, Michael E.; Zhu, Jiang; Wang, Fan; Locarnini, Ricardo; Li, Yuanlong; Zhang, Bin; Yu, Fujiang; Wan, Liying; Chen, Xingrong; Feng, Licheng; Song, Xiangzhou; Liu, Yulong; Reseghetti, Franco; Simoncelli, Simona; Gouretski, Viktor more »

Abstract

Changes in ocean heat content (OHC), salinity, and stratification provide critical indicators for changes in Earth’s energy and water cycles. These cycles have been profoundly altered due to the emission of greenhouse gasses and other anthropogenic substances by human activities, driving pervasive changes in Earth’s climate system. In 2022, the world’s oceans, as given by OHC, were again the hottest in the historical record and exceeded the previous 2021 record maximum. According to IAP/CAS data, the 0–2000 m OHC in 2022 exceeded that of 2021 by 10.9 ± 8.3 ZJ (1 Zetta Joules = 10²¹Joules); and according to NCEI/NOAA data, by 9.1 ± 8.7 ZJ. Among seven regions, four basins (the North Pacific, North Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, and southern oceans) recorded their highest OHC since the 1950s. The salinity-contrast index, a quantification of the “salty gets saltier—fresh gets fresher” pattern, also reached its highest level on record in 2022, implying continued amplification of the global hydrological cycle. Regional OHC and salinity changes in 2022 were dominated by a strong La Niña event. Global upper-ocean stratification continued its increasing trend and was among the top seven in 2022.

Research Organization:: National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Boulder, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 2424877

Journal Information:: Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, Journal Name: Advances in Atmospheric Sciences Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 40; ISSN 0256-1530

Publisher:: Springer

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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