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The Rockall Trough is one of the main conduits for warm Atlantic Water to the Nordic Seas. Ocean heat anomalies, originating from the eastern subpolar gyre, are known to influence Arctic sea ice extent, marine ecosystems, and continental climate. Knowledge of the transport through this basin has previously been limited to estimates from hydrographic sections which cannot characterize the intra‐annual and multiannual variability. As part of the Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Programme (OSNAP), a mooring array was deployed in the Rockall Trough in order to obtain the first continuous measurements of transport. Here, we define the methodology and the errors associated with estimating these transports. Results show a 4‐year mean northward transport of 6.6 Sv (1 Sv = 106 m3/s) by the North Atlantic Current (NAC) in the east and interior of the Rockall Trough (2014–2018). A mean transport of −2.0 Sv (southward) is observed in the west of the basin, which could be part of a recirculation around the Rockall Plateau. The 90‐day low‐pass‐filtered transport shows large subannual and interannual variability (−1.6 to 9.1 Sv), mostly resulting from changes in the midbasin geostrophic transport. Satellite altimetry reveals the periods of low and high transport are associated with significant changes in the Rockall Trough circulation. There is a detectable seasonal signal, with the greatest transport in spring and autumn.Plain Language Summary: There is mounting evidence that the North Atlantic Current (eastward extension of the Gulf Stream) heavily influences the European and Arctic climate. To adequately measure this current and understand its dynamics, an array of underwater instruments was deployed in the Rockall Trough, a remote region of the eastern North Atlantic. Over a 4‐year period, these instruments continuously collected measurements of temperature, salinity, pressure, and velocity data. Analysis of these data provides a new and more accurate description of the North Atlantic Current in this region. This study reveals a surprisingly large variability in the eastern North Atlantic circulation. The combined analysis of underwater measurements and satellite data indicates that this variability is due to changes of the North Atlantic Current system.Key Points: For the first time, the strength of the North Atlantic Current (NAC) has been measured continuously for four years in the Rockall TroughDuring 2014 to 2018, about half the amount of warm water travelling northwards towards the Arctic Ocean flows through the Rockall TroughHigh northward transport periods are characterized by a strong NAC jet in the Rockall Trough, weak transport by mesoscale eddy activity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a key mechanism of heat, freshwater, and carbon redistribution in the climate system. The precept that the AMOC has changed abruptly in the past, notably during and at the end of the last ice age, and that it is "very likely" to weaken in the coming century due to anthropogenic climate change is a key motivation for sustained observations of the AMOC. This paper reviews the methodology and technology used to observe the AMOC and assesses these ideas and systems for accuracy, shortcomings, potential improvements, and sustainability. We review hydrographic techniques and look at how these traditional techniques can meet modern requirements. Transport mooring arrays (TMAs) provide the "gold standard" for sustained AMOC observing, utilizing dynamic height, current meter, and other instrumentation and techniques to produce continuous observations of the AMOC. We consider the principle of these systems and how they can be sustained and improved into the future. Techniques utilizing indirect measurements, such as satellite altimetry, coupled with in situ measurements, such as the Argo float array, are also discussed. Existing technologies that perhaps have not been fully exploited for estimating AMOC are reviewed and considered for this purpose. Technology is constantly evolving, and we look to the future of technology and how it can be deployed for sustained and expanded AMOC measurements. Finally, all of these methodologies and technologies are considered with a view to a sustained and sustainable future for AMOC observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Deep Western Boundary Current in the subpolar North Atlantic is the lower limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and a key component of the global climate system. Here, a mooring array deployed at 60°N in the Irminger Sea, between 2014 and 2016, provides the longest continuous record of total Deep Western Boundary Current volume transport at this latitude. The 1.8‐year averaged transport of water denser than σθ = 27.8 kg/m3 was −10.8 ± 4.9 Sv (mean ± 1 std; 1 Sv = 106 m3/s). Of this total, we find −4.1 ± 1.4 Sv within the densest layer (σθ > 27.88 kg/m3) that originated from the Denmark Strait Overflow. The lighter North East Atlantic Deep Water layer (σθ = 27.8–27.88 kg/m3) carries −6.5 ± 7.7 Sv. The variability in transport ranges between 2 and 65 days. There is a distinct shift from high to low frequency with distance from the East Greenland slope. High‐frequency fluctuations (2–8 days) close to the continental slope are likely associated with topographic Rossby waves and/or cyclonic eddies. Here, perturbations in layer thickness make a significant (20–60%) contribution to transport variability. In deeper water, toward the center of the Irminger Basin, transport variance at 55 days dominates. Our results suggest that there has been a 1.8 Sv increase in total transport since 2005–2006, but this difference can be accounted for by a range of methodological and data limitation biases. Plain Language Summary: A network of currents in the Atlantic Ocean plays an important role in the global climate system, redistributing heat, salt, nutrients, and carbon around the globe. It is made up of a northward flow of warm, salty water in the upper layers of the Atlantic, and a deep, southward flow of colder, denser water. Dense water is formed at high latitudes when surface waters release heat to the atmosphere and sink toward the seafloor. This forms the Deep Western Boundary Current that moves southward to the east of Greenland. Knowing how much water is carried and whether the current is stable is vital to our understanding of global climate. Using measurements of temperature, salinity, and current speed from instruments deployed between 2014 and 2016, we find that the Deep Western Boundary Current transports on average 10.8 × 106 m3 of water a second. This transport varies in time. It increases and decreases from day to day and month to month. Eddies, waves, and other ocean currents all contribute to these fluctuations. Our results suggest that transport has increased since 2005–2006, but it is possible to account for this change by considering the limitations of previous data sets and the methods used to calculate the transport. Key Points: Volume transport of the Deep Western Boundary Current in the Irminger Sea between 2014 and 2016 was ‐10.8 +/‐ 4.9 SvTransport variability shifts from high (2‐8 days) to low (55 days) frequencies with distance down slopeNo significant long‐term trend in transport was identified [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Repeat glider sections obtained during 2014–2016, as part of the Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program, are used to quantify the circulation and transport of North Atlantic Current (NAC) branches over the Rockall Plateau. Using 16 glider sections collected along 58°N and between 21°W and 15°W, absolute geostrophic velocities are calculated, and subsequently the horizontal and vertical structure of the transport are characterized. The annual mean northward transport (± standard deviation) is 5.1 ± 3.2 Sv over the Rockall Plateau. During summer (May to October), the mean northward transport is stronger and reaches 6.7 ± 2.6 Sv. This accounts for 43% of the total NAC transport of upper‐ocean waters (σO<27.55 kg/m3) estimated by Sarafanov et al. (2012, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JC007572) along 59.5°N, between the Reykjanes Ridge and Scotland. Two quasi‐permanent northward flowing branches of the NAC are identified: (i) the Hatton Bank Jet (6.3 ±  2.1 Sv) over the eastern flank of the Iceland Basin (20.5°W to 18.5°W) and (ii) the Rockall Bank Jet (1.5 ±  0.7 Sv) over the eastern flank of the Hatton‐Rockall Basin (16°W to 15°W). Transport associated with the Rockall Bank Jet is mostly depth independent during summer, while 30% of the Hatton Bank Jet transport is due to vertical geostrophic shear. Uncertainties are estimated for each individual glider section using a Monte Carlo approach, and mean uncertainties of the absolute transport are less than 0.5 Sv. Although comparisons with altimetry‐based estimates indicate similar large‐scale circulation patterns, altimetry data do not resolve small mesoscale current bands in the Hatton‐Rockall Basin which are strongly needed for the right transport estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]