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Westward modification of Caribbean through-flow water mass structure.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Westward modification of Caribbean through-flow water mass structure.
Authors: Gradone, Joseph C.1 (AUTHOR) jgradone@marine.rutgers.edu, Wilson, W. Douglas2 (AUTHOR), Glenn, Scott M.1 (AUTHOR), Miles, Travis N.1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Deep-Sea Research Part I, Oceanographic Research Papers. Nov2025, Vol. 225, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Water masses, Salinity, Ocean temperature, Ocean circulation, Ecological impact, Ocean currents
Geographic Terms: Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, North Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean
Abstract: The Caribbean Through-Flow (CTF) is a critical chokepoint for North and South Atlantic waters that form the North Atlantic western boundary current system and the upper ocean limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. While the circulation and energetics of the CTF have been well studied, its water mass transformations remain poorly constrained. Using over 7700 Argo float profiles from 2014 to 2024, we document a prominent westward modification in water mass structure across the Caribbean Sea. From the eastern to western Caribbean, we observe systematic increases in ocean heat content, a deepening of isopycnals, and a freshening and deepening of the subsurface salinity maximum. These changes result in a net mid-depth (∼50–500 m) density reduction of 0.40 ± 0.27 kg m-3. We hypothesize that regional variations in mesoscale eddy activity, complex bathymetry, and meridional wind stress curl gradients drive this transformation. The resulting water mass structure has critical implications for regional climate, weather, ecosystems, and sea level rise, as it modifies the density and stratification of source waters entering the Gulf of Mexico and North Atlantic western boundary current system. Our findings highlight the importance of internal Caribbean processes in shaping upper-ocean heat and salt transport in the Atlantic and underscore the need for sustained in situ observations in the region and targeted modeling analyses of the underlying modification processes. • Water mass structure is modified moving westward across the Caribbean Sea. • The subsurface salinity maximum freshens and deepens moving westward across the Caribbean Sea. • The Caribbean eddy field, wind stress curl field, and complex bathymetry likely drive this regional water mass modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:The Caribbean Through-Flow (CTF) is a critical chokepoint for North and South Atlantic waters that form the North Atlantic western boundary current system and the upper ocean limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. While the circulation and energetics of the CTF have been well studied, its water mass transformations remain poorly constrained. Using over 7700 Argo float profiles from 2014 to 2024, we document a prominent westward modification in water mass structure across the Caribbean Sea. From the eastern to western Caribbean, we observe systematic increases in ocean heat content, a deepening of isopycnals, and a freshening and deepening of the subsurface salinity maximum. These changes result in a net mid-depth (∼50–500 m) density reduction of 0.40 ± 0.27 kg m-3. We hypothesize that regional variations in mesoscale eddy activity, complex bathymetry, and meridional wind stress curl gradients drive this transformation. The resulting water mass structure has critical implications for regional climate, weather, ecosystems, and sea level rise, as it modifies the density and stratification of source waters entering the Gulf of Mexico and North Atlantic western boundary current system. Our findings highlight the importance of internal Caribbean processes in shaping upper-ocean heat and salt transport in the Atlantic and underscore the need for sustained in situ observations in the region and targeted modeling analyses of the underlying modification processes. • Water mass structure is modified moving westward across the Caribbean Sea. • The subsurface salinity maximum freshens and deepens moving westward across the Caribbean Sea. • The Caribbean eddy field, wind stress curl field, and complex bathymetry likely drive this regional water mass modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:09670637
DOI:10.1016/j.dsr.2025.104581