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    Original Research Papers

    The influence of large-scale atmospheric circulation on the variability of salinity at Helgoland Roads station

    Authors:

    M. Ionita ,

    Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bussestrasse 24, D-27570 Bremerhaven, DE
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    G. Lohmann,

    Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bussestrasse 24, D-27570 Bremerhaven, DE
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    N. Rimbu,

    Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bussestrasse 24, D-27570 Bremerhaven, DE
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    K. Wiltshire

    Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Helgoland, DE
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    Abstract

    The variability of April salinity at Helgoland Roads station (54.12◦N, 7.9◦E, Germany) is analysed in relationship with Elbe river discharge and the observed variability in large-scale atmospheric circulation for the period 1962–2000. It is shown that the main driver of salinity anomalies is the river discharge anomalies from the previous month. These discharge anomalies are strongly related with precipitation anomalies from the Elbe catchment area. Changes in the salinity, discharge and precipitation anomalies are accompanied by a wave train atmospheric circulation pattern that connects the tropical Atlantic Ocean with northern part of Europe, as well as with changes in large-scale water vapour transport over the whole German Bight. Positive sea-surface temperature anomalies, centred in the Caribbean region and the North Sea, are associated with positive salinity anomalies and negative anomalies of discharge and precipitation.

    How to Cite: Ionita, M., Lohmann, G., Rimbu, N. and Wiltshire, K., 2008. The influence of large-scale atmospheric circulation on the variability of salinity at Helgoland Roads station. Tellus A: Dynamic Meteorology and Oceanography, 60(5), pp.1103–1108. DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0870.2008.00352.x
      Published on 01 Jan 2008
    Peer Reviewed
     CC BY 4.0
     Accepted on 27 Jun 2008            Submitted on 21 Dec 2007

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