917 / 2024-09-19 20:05:28
Influence of the South Asian Monsoon on Freshwater Exchange Between the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea
South Asian monsoon,salinity,Freshwater exchange,Bay of Bengal,Arabian Sea
Session 60 - Indian Ocean Dynamics, Air-sea Interaction and Biogeochemical Cycles
Abstract Accepted
The South Asian monsoon (SAM) is undergoing significant changes in the context of climate change, attracting considerable attention due to its profound impact on the region's ecological and societal systems. The SAM regulates active freshwater exchanges between the Bay of Bengal (BoB) and the Arabian Sea (AS). In this study, we investigate the freshwater exchange processes between the BoB and the AS across different timescales to explore how these exchanges can serve as indicators of SAM variability. To achieve this, we utilize Optimally Interpolated Sea Surface Salinity (OISSS) data, along with Mercator Ocean and ERA5 reanalysis products. We identify the primary freshwater exchange pathway, calculate SAM indices based on wind fields and precipitation, and quantitatively assess freshwater transport along the pathway. Our results show that the SAM significantly influences freshwater exchange processes across various timescales. A mixed-layer salinity budget analysis along the exchange pathway reveals that monsoon-driven ocean advection plays a dominant role in freshwater exchange. During years with a strong winter monsoon, freshwater transport occurs earlier. These findings provide a scientific basis for future studies on the evolution of SAM under global warming.