Demons in the North Atlantic: Variability of Deep Ocean Ventilation Geophysical Research Letters

Translation of atmospheric forcing variability into the ocean interior via ocean ventilation is an important aspect of transient climate change. On a seasonal timescale in the subtropics, this translation is mediated by a so-called “Demon” that prevents access to all except late-winter mixed-layer water. Here, we use an eddy-permitting numerical circulation model to investigate a similar process operating on longer (interannual) timescales in the subpolar North Atlantic. We find that variations in atmospheric forcing are mediated in their translation to the ocean interior, with year-to-year changes in the late-winter mixed layer depth being the critical factor. The signature of persistent strong atmospheric forcing driving