A paper published in Jan 2009 written by POL scientists Rory Bingham Chris Hughes has received recognition from the science society the AGU. The AGU is a worldwide scientific community that advances, through unselfish cooperation in research, the understanding of Earth and space for the benefit of humanity. Each month the AGU Editors select their choice of papers and this month they selected Rory and Chris's paper titled - "Signature of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation in sea level along the east coast of North America". An abtract of the paper can be read below and more information can be found on the AGU's website (see link below).

For full details read the AGU article - click here.

Abstract

In this letter we examine the relationship between the North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) and sea level (SL) along the east coast of North America. In the eddy permitting ocean model OCCAM we find a distinctive, topography-following pattern of SL variability in the western North Atlantic that is closely linked with the changing strength of the MOC, with a 2 cm drop in SL along the US east coast corresponding to a 1Sv increase in the MOC. We find a similar pattern of SL variability in the altimetry record and show that this meridionally coherent SL mode dominates interannual SL variability at tide gauges along the North American east coast between 40-50°N. Hence we conclude that North American coastal sea-level may indeed be a useful indicator of MOC variability on interannual timescales, allowing an observationally-based estimate of the likely range of interannual MOC fluctuations to be determined.

The image below shows the sea level pattern associated with a descrease in the overturning circulation, and the position of the relevant tide gauges.

The Proudman Oceanographic (POL) scientific research focuses on oceanography encompassing global sea-levels and geodesy, numerical modelling of continental shelf seas and coastal sediment processes. This research alongside activities of surveying, monitoring, data management and forecasting provides strategic support for the wider mission of the Natural Environment Research Council.

As a public funded body it is part of our remit to inform the public of the science and research undertaken at the laboratory. Attending events like the 'Ocean Awareness Weekend' at the Blue Planet Aquarium offers the opportunity for our scientists to meet members of the public and present the laboratory's work.

The Natural Environment Research Council is one of the UK's eight Research Councils. It uses a budget of about £ 350m a year to fund and carry out impartial scientific research in the sciences of the environment. NERC trains the next generation of independent environmental scientists. It is addressing some of the key questions facing mankind, such as global warming, renewable energy and sustainable economic development.