Labrador Current

The Labrador Current is a cold, south-facing ocean current in an arm of the Atlantic ocean that between Greenland and the east coast of North America. Its name comes from this arm of the Labrador Sea.

The Labrador current has its origin in the Arctic Ocean and coincides with the Banks of Newfoundland with the warm Gulf Stream, which he deflects towards Europe. He is therefore responsible for the mild climate in Europe. In the area of the encounter of the Labrador current with the Gulf Stream often arises fog, when the warm air over the Gulf Stream in the cold air region passes through the Labrador Current. Also, this meeting promotes the development of cyclones. The waters of the Labrador current is relatively low in salt because of its origin from the Arctic Sea.

The Labrador Current often drive icebergs in the south, which then pose a danger for navigation in areas of the North Atlantic.

In studies of d15N isotopes (nitrogen isotopes) of the organic constituents of sea fans in the area of the Labrador current significant changes since the 1970s could be detected. The by leading scientists interpret the d15N values ​​as an indicator of nutrient availability in the water. Since the 1970s, the proportion of nutrient rich water to be measured, which is unique, according to the investigation for the Labrador current since 1800 years. This is increasingly subtropical water instead of subpolar water in the range of the Labrador current available. The researchers suggest a possible relationship with the observed climate changes during this period.