The impact of sea-ice dynamics on the Arctic climate system

2003 ◽  
Vol 20 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 741-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Vavrus ◽  
S. P. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Climate System ◽  
Arctic Climate ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Ice Dynamics ◽  
Sea Ice Dynamics ◽  
The Impact

Impact of wave-induced sea ice fragmentation on sea ice dynamics in the MIZ

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Boutin ◽  
Timothy Williams ◽  
Pierre Rampal ◽  
Einar Olason ◽  
Camille Lique
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Sea Ice Extent ◽  
Ice Dynamics ◽  
Sea Ice Dynamics ◽  
Wave Induced ◽  
The Impact

<p>The decrease in Arctic sea ice extent is associated with an increase of the area where sea ice and open ocean interact, commonly referred to as the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ). In this area, sea ice is particularly exposed to waves that can penetrate over tens to hundreds of kilometres into the ice cover. Waves are known to play a major role in the fragmentation of sea ice in the MIZ, and the interactions between wave-induced sea ice fragmentation and lateral melting have received particular attention in recent years. The impact of this fragmentation on sea ice dynamics, however, remains mostly unknown, although it is thought that fragmented sea ice experiences less resistance to deformation than pack ice. In this presentation, we will introduce a new coupled framework involving the spectral wave model WAVEWATCH III and the sea ice model neXtSIM, which includes a Maxwell-Elasto Brittle rheology. We use this coupled modelling system to investigate the potential impact of wave-induced sea ice fragmentation on sea ice dynamics. Focusing on the Barents Sea, we find that the decrease of the internal stress of sea ice resulting from its fragmentation by waves results in a more dynamical MIZ, in particular in areas where sea ice is compact. Sea ice drift is enhanced for both on-ice and off-ice wind conditions. Our results stress the importance of considering wave–sea-ice interactions for forecast applications. They also suggest that waves likely modulate the area of sea ice that is advected away from the pack by ocean (sub-)mesoscale eddies near the ice edge, potentially contributing to the observed past, current and future sea ice cover decline in the Arctic. </p>

scholarly journals Wave–sea-ice interactions in a brittle rheological framework

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Boutin ◽  
Timothy Williams ◽  
Pierre Rampal ◽  
Einar Olason ◽  
Camille Lique
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Sea Ice Extent ◽  
Ice Dynamics ◽  
Sea Ice Dynamics ◽  
Wave Induced ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The decrease in Arctic sea ice extent is associated with an increase of the area where sea ice and open ocean interact, commonly referred to as the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ). In this area, sea ice is particularly exposed to waves that can penetrate over tens to hundreds of kilometres into the ice cover. Waves are known to play a major role in the fragmentation of sea ice in the MIZ, and the interactions between wave-induced sea ice fragmentation and lateral melting have received particular attention in recent years. The impact of this fragmentation on sea ice dynamics, however, remains mostly unknown, although it is thought that fragmented sea ice experiences less resistance to deformation than pack ice. Here, we introduce a new coupled framework involving the spectral wave model WAVEWATCH III and the sea ice model neXtSIM, which includes a Maxwell-Elasto Brittle rheology. We use this coupled modelling system to investigate the potential impact of wave-induced sea ice fragmentation on sea ice dynamics. Focusing on the Barents Sea, we find that the decrease of the internal stress of sea ice resulting from its fragmentation by waves results in a more dynamical MIZ, in particular in areas where sea ice is compact. Sea ice drift is enhanced for both on-ice and off-ice wind conditions. Our results stress the importance of considering wave–sea-ice interactions for forecast applications. They also suggest that waves likely modulate the area of sea ice that is advected away from the pack by ocean (sub-)mesoscale eddies near the ice edge, potentially contributing to the observed past, current and future sea ice cover decline in the Arctic.

Varying response of vegetation to sea ice dynamics over the Arctic

2021 ◽  
pp. 149378
Author(s):  
Linfei Yu ◽  
Guoyong Leng ◽  
Andre Python
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Ice Dynamics ◽  
Sea Ice Dynamics

scholarly journals Climate changes modulated the history of Arctic iodine during the Last Glacial Cycle

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Pablo Corella ◽  
Niccolo Maffezzoli ◽  
Andrea Spolaor ◽  
Paul Vallelonga ◽  
Carlos A. Cuevas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Ice Cores ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Glacial Cycle ◽  
Ice Dynamics ◽  
Sea Ice Dynamics ◽  
Ultrafine Aerosol

AbstractIodine has a significant impact on promoting the formation of new ultrafine aerosol particles and accelerating tropospheric ozone loss, thereby affecting radiative forcing and climate. Therefore, understanding the long-term natural evolution of iodine, and its coupling with climate variability, is key to adequately assess its effect on climate on centennial to millennial timescales. Here, using two Greenland ice cores (NEEM and RECAP), we report the Arctic iodine variability during the last 127,000 years. We find the highest and lowest iodine levels recorded during interglacial and glacial periods, respectively, modulated by ocean bioproductivity and sea ice dynamics. Our sub-decadal resolution measurements reveal that high frequency iodine emission variability occurred in pace with Dansgaard/Oeschger events, highlighting the rapid Arctic ocean-ice-atmosphere iodine exchange response to abrupt climate changes. Finally, we discuss if iodine levels during past warmer-than-present climate phases can serve as analogues of future scenarios under an expected ice-free Arctic Ocean. We argue that the combination of natural biogenic ocean iodine release (boosted by ongoing Arctic warming and sea ice retreat) and anthropogenic ozone-induced iodine emissions may lead to a near future scenario with the highest iodine levels of the last 127,000 years.

scholarly journals Recent advances in understanding the Arctic climate system state and change from a sea ice perspective: a review

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 10929-10999 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Döscher ◽  
T. Vihma ◽  
E. Maksimovich
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
Climate System ◽  
Arctic Climate ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Atlantic Sector ◽  
Sea Ice Decline ◽  
Arctic Sea

Abstract. The Arctic sea ice is the central and essential component of the Arctic climate system. The depletion and areal decline of the Arctic sea ice cover, observed since the 1970's, have accelerated after the millennium shift. While a relationship to global warming is evident and is underpinned statistically, the mechanisms connected to the sea ice reduction are to be explored in detail. Sea ice erodes both from the top and from the bottom. Atmosphere, sea ice and ocean processes interact in non-linear ways on various scales. Feedback mechanisms lead to an Arctic amplification of the global warming system. The amplification is both supported by the ice depletion and is at the same time accelerating the ice reduction. Knowledge of the mechanisms connected to the sea ice decline has grown during the 1990's and has deepened when the acceleration became clear in the early 2000's. Record summer sea ice extents in 2002, 2005, 2007 and 2012 provided additional information on the mechanisms. This article reviews recent progress in understanding of the sea ice decline. Processes are revisited from an atmospheric, ocean and sea ice perspective. There is strong evidence for decisive atmospheric changes being the major driver of sea ice change. Feedbacks due to reduced ice concentration, surface albedo and thickness allow for additional local atmosphere and ocean influences and self-supporting feedbacks. Large scale ocean influences on the Arctic Ocean hydrology and circulation are highly evident. Northward heat fluxes in the ocean are clearly impacting the ice margins, especially in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic. Only little indication exists for a direct decisive influence of the warming ocean on the overall sea ice cover, due to an isolating layer of cold and fresh water underneath the sea ice.

scholarly journals Recent advances in understanding the Arctic climate system state and change from a sea ice perspective: a review

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 13571-13600 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Döscher ◽  
T. Vihma ◽  
E. Maksimovich
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
Climate System ◽  
Arctic Climate ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Atlantic Sector ◽  
Sea Ice Decline

Abstract. Sea ice is the central component and most sensitive indicator of the Arctic climate system. Both the depletion and areal decline of the Arctic sea ice cover, observed since the 1970s, have accelerated since the millennium. While the relationship of global warming to sea ice reduction is evident and underpinned statistically, it is the connecting mechanisms that are explored in detail in this review. Sea ice erodes both from the top and the bottom. Atmospheric, oceanic and sea ice processes interact in non-linear ways on various scales. Feedback mechanisms lead to an Arctic amplification of the global warming system: the amplification is both supported by the ice depletion and, at the same time, accelerates ice reduction. Knowledge of the mechanisms of sea ice decline grew during the 1990s and deepened when the acceleration became clear in the early 2000s. Record minimum summer sea ice extents in 2002, 2005, 2007 and 2012 provide additional information on the mechanisms. This article reviews recent progress in understanding the sea ice decline. Processes are revisited from atmospheric, oceanic and sea ice perspectives. There is strong evidence that decisive atmospheric changes are the major driver of sea ice change. Feedbacks due to reduced ice concentration, surface albedo, and ice thickness allow for additional local atmospheric and oceanic influences and self-supporting feedbacks. Large-scale ocean influences on Arctic Ocean hydrology and circulation are highly evident. Northward heat fluxes in the ocean are clearly impacting the ice margins, especially in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic. There is little indication of a direct and decisive influence of the warming ocean on the overall sea ice cover, due to an isolating layer of cold and fresh water underneath the sea ice.

scholarly journals Advances in understanding and parameterization of small-scale physical processes in the marine Arctic climate system: a review

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 9403-9450 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Vihma ◽  
R. Pirazzini ◽  
I. Fer ◽  
I. A. Renfrew ◽  
J. Sedlar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Climate System ◽  
Arctic Climate ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Climate Modelling ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
Made In

Abstract. The Arctic climate system includes numerous highly interactive small-scale physical processes in the atmosphere, sea ice, and ocean. During and since the International Polar Year 2007–2009, significant advances have been made in understanding these processes. Here, these recent advances are reviewed, synthesized, and discussed. In atmospheric physics, the primary advances have been in cloud physics, radiative transfer, mesoscale cyclones, coastal, and fjordic processes as well as in boundary layer processes and surface fluxes. In sea ice and its snow cover, advances have been made in understanding of the surface albedo and its relationships with snow properties, the internal structure of sea ice, the heat and salt transfer in ice, the formation of superimposed ice and snow ice, and the small-scale dynamics of sea ice. For the ocean, significant advances have been related to exchange processes at the ice–ocean interface, diapycnal mixing, double-diffusive convection, tidal currents and diurnal resonance. Despite this recent progress, some of these small-scale physical processes are still not sufficiently understood: these include wave–turbulence interactions in the atmosphere and ocean, the exchange of heat and salt at the ice–ocean interface, and the mechanical weakening of sea ice. Many other processes are reasonably well understood as stand-alone processes but the challenge is to understand their interactions with and impacts and feedbacks on other processes. Uncertainty in the parameterization of small-scale processes continues to be among the greatest challenges facing climate modelling, particularly in high latitudes. Further improvements in parameterization require new year-round field campaigns on the Arctic sea ice, closely combined with satellite remote sensing studies and numerical model experiments.

The Interplay of Recent Vegetation and Sea Ice Dynamics—Results From a Regional Earth System Model Over the Arctic

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Zhang ◽  
R. Döscher ◽  
T. Koenigk ◽  
P.A. Miller ◽  
C. Jansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Earth System Model ◽  
System Model ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Earth System ◽  
Ice Dynamics ◽  
Sea Ice Dynamics

Atmospheric processes in the Central Arctic during MOSAiC

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Shupe ◽  
Markus Rex ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Climate System ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Arctic Climate ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Model Assessment ◽  
Research Activities

<p>The atmosphere plays a central role in the Arctic climate system and its recent changes. Enhanced Arctic atmospheric warming over the past decades is linked with many key processes, including variability in large-scale circulation patterns, changes in fluxes of heat, sea-ice decline, impacts on the ecosystem, and many more. It is this collection of interdependent processes, and their recent changes, that has motivated the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC, 2019-2020) expedition. Based on the Polarstern icebreaker, an international and interdisciplinary team of scientists conducted an intensive, year-long scientific exploration of the Central Arctic climate system while drifting with the sea ice. This presentation highlights the atmospheric components of this scientific expedition. These include the most comprehensive set of field observations to ever be made of the Central Arctic atmosphere, spanning from the stratosphere to the surface. Specific research activities examine atmospheric structure, winds, clouds, precipitation, aerosols, and surface fluxes of heat, momentum, gases, and moisture. Complementing these observational aspects are numerous modeling activities, including observation-based model assessment, model development, and regional process studies, among others. Finally, key links between the atmosphere and the sea ice, snow, and ocean through a variety of physical, chemical, and biological processes are discussed.</p>

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