Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean is a unique component of the climate system due to its vast size and an important role in connecting the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. The Southern Ocean is also an origin of several important water masses:
Subantarctic Mode Water (SAMW), Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW), Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW).
The mechanisms that control formation and circulation of these water masses, as well as the global roles of these water masses are a subject of several studies:
Role of surface storms on the stratification and SAMW thickness
Role of AAIW in controlling the meridional overturning of the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW): denser AAIW corresponds to weaker circulation of NADW
Global effects of changes in the stratification of the Southern Ocean induced by mesoscale eddies
Role of vertical, topography-enhanced mixing on the propagation of AABW in the Atlantic: More intense mixing leads to larger meridional transport of the bottom waters