Data from fifteen globally distributed, modern, high resolution, hydrographic oceanic transects are combined in a large scale, inverse, box model calculation. The results of the study are presented here through a detailed regional analysis of the global model results. Most features of the integrated circulation are similar to those seen in previous studies. The Atlantic overturning cell is estimated at 18 +/- 4 x 10(9) kg s(-1). Within the Southern Ocean, deep waters from the north meet bottom waters originating in the south. These lower deep waters are carried into the Indian and Pacific basins where they are converted to upper deep and intermediate waters before returning to the Atlantic. The strong and steady source of upper and intermediate waters available from the Southwest Atlantic and the 'cold water' path support the argument that this is a consistent source of the feed for the formation of deep waters in the north. Nevertheless, the results indicate that there is westward flow originating in the Agulhas Recirculation region and that this 'warm water' connection may be important, and at times dominant. Within the model, the magnitude of Indonesian Passage throughflow waters does not have a direct bearing on the water returning to the North Atlantic and, therefore, it is not considered to be a sensitive component of the global-scale flow. The model, although globally consistent (i.e. displays consistency between the model data and physics), suggests some circulation features which disagree with previously published results. Two such results are a strong flow of warmer waters across the middle and eastern portions of the Atlantic 48 degrees N section, and only a very small southward flow of North Pacific Deep Water across the Pacific 10 degrees N section. The model also provides estimates of the meridional heat transport based upon the globally consistent circulation pattern. The model heat flux estimates are both significantly different from zero and quite robust to changes in initial assumptions with the exception of the choice of wind held. These estimates are examined in light of previously published values. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
