Eastern Indian Ocean's Impact on Abyssal Pacific Circulation Revealed
The eastern Indian Ocean plays a crucial role in the circulation of deep waters in the Pacific Ocean. A study using a detailed ocean model shows that bottom water formed off the Adélie Coast influences the entire abyssal Pacific. This bottom water mixes with Circumpolar Deep Water, affecting its properties as it flows through the Australian-Antarctic Basin and South Australia Basin. Tracer experiments reveal that water ventilated off the Adélie Coast accounts for about 20% of the abyssal Pacific, with North Atlantic Deep Water being the largest contributor at 50%. The total flux of ventilated water estimated by the model is 33.1 Sv, which closely matches observations. This suggests that the eastern Indian Ocean is a significant source of bottom water for the abyssal Pacific.