Surface flux–induced salinity change and its effects on ocean stratification in response to global warmingOA

Global warming induced by increased CO_(2) has caused marked changes in the ocean.Previous estimates of ocean salinity change in response to global warming have considerable ambiguity,largely attributable to the diverse sensitivities of surface fluxes.This study utilizes data from the Flux-Anomaly-Forced Model Intercomparison Project to investigate how ocean salinity responds to perturbations of surface fluxes.The findings indicate the emergence of a sea surface salinity(SSS)dipole pattern predominantly in the North Atlantic and Pacific fresh pools,driven by surface flux perturbations.This results in an intensification of the“salty gets saltier and fresh gets fresher”SSS pattern across the global ocean.The spatial pattern amplification(PA)of SSS under global warming is estimated to be approximately 11.5%,with surface water flux perturbations being the most significant contributor to salinity PA,accounting for 8.1% of the change after 70 years in experiments since pre-industrial control(piControl).Notably,the zonal-depth distribution of salinity in the upper ocean exhibits lighter seawater above the denser water,with bowed isopycnals in the upper 400 m.This stable stratification inhibits vertical mixing of salinity and temperature.In response to the flux perturbations,there is a strong positive feedback due to consequent freshening.It is hypothesized that under global warming,an SSS amplification of 7.2%/℃ and a mixed-layer depth amplification of 12.5%/℃ will occur in the global ocean.It suggests that the salinity effect can exert a more stable ocean to hinder the downward transfer of heat,which provides positive feedback to future global warming.