Articles | Volume 22, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-2595-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-2595-2026
Research article
 | Highlight paper
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27 Aug 2026
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 27 Aug 2026

Water masses in the Atlantic Ocean: water mass ages and ventilation

Mian Liu and Toste Tanhua

Data sets

Hydrographic Cruise: 33RO20130803 John L. Bullister and Molly O. Baringer https://cchdo.ucsd.edu/cruise/33RO20130803

Hydrographic Cruise: 33RO20131223 Rik Wanninkhof https://cchdo.ucsd.edu/cruise/33RO20131223

Hydrographic Cruise: 74DI20100106 Brian A. King https://cchdo.ucsd.edu/cruise/74DI20100106

Hydrographic Cruise: 33RO20110926 Molly O. Baringer https://cchdo.ucsd.edu/cruise/33RO20110926

Video abstract

Water masses in the Atlantic Ocean: water mass ages and ventilation Mian Liu and Toste Tanhua https://doi.org/10.5446/73710

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Editorial statement
Atlantic water masses are particularly interesting, not only regionally, but also for the global ocean, due to the vital status of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation in the global climate. This study presents quantitative assessments of water mass age characteristics and ventilation time scales through an analysis using the transient tracers chlorofluorocarbon‑12 (CFC‑12), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and argon‑39 (39Ar). The age analysis reveals significant basin‑scale asymmetries, with western basins exhibiting younger ages compared to eastern counterparts. This integrated age framework provides novel insights into water mass ventilation dynamics and their biogeochemical implications through quantitative characterization of temporal‑spatial age distributions across different oceanographic provinces.
Short summary
We measured the age of Atlantic waters using man-made gases and a radioactive isotope. Age increases with depth: young surface waters are about 30 years old, deep Antarctic water reaches 100 years, and the oldest bottom water is roughly 120 years. The western Atlantic is younger and better ventilated than the east. These patterns help estimate deep-sea oxygen use and are key for climate models and marine ecosystems.
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