scholarly journals Interannual Sea-Ice Variations and Sea-Ice/Atmosphere Interations in the Southern Ocean, 1973–1975

1982 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 249-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire L. Parkinson ◽  
Donald J. Cavalieri
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Spatial Dependence ◽  
Spatial Coherence ◽  
Yearly Cycle ◽  
Small Term ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ice Edge

Examination of satellite-derived 1973–75 sea-ice concentrations for the Southern Ocean and comparison with 1 000 mbar temperatures and sea-level pressures reveal considerable Interannual variability in both the ice and atmospheric fields plus strong suggestions of ice/atmosphere interconnections. The mean position of the ice edge undergoes a strong yearly cycle that lags the cycle of the zonally-averaged temperatures by about one month, but the mean ice edge does not contain small-term fluctuations or interannual variability to the same extent as either the temperature or the pressure. Regionally, the ice varies much more noticeably from year-to-year, with the interannual contrasts showing strong spatial dependence in all months and strong spatial coherence in winter. These are illustrated by selected maps of monthly differences in ice concentrations between 1973 and 1974 and between 1974 and 1975. It is shown that the interannual ice differences can, in many cases, be attributed to the Interannual differences in the positioning and intensity of cyclonic and anticyclonic systems.

scholarly journals Interannual Sea-Ice Variations and Sea-Ice/Atmosphere Interations in the Southern Ocean, 1973–1975

1982 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 249-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire L. Parkinson ◽  
Donald J. Cavalieri
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Spatial Dependence ◽  
Spatial Coherence ◽  
Yearly Cycle ◽  
Small Term ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ice Edge

Examination of satellite-derived 1973–75 sea-ice concentrations for the Southern Ocean and comparison with 1 000 mbar temperatures and sea-level pressures reveal considerable Interannual variability in both the ice and atmospheric fields plus strong suggestions of ice/atmosphere interconnections. The mean position of the ice edge undergoes a strong yearly cycle that lags the cycle of the zonally-averaged temperatures by about one month, but the mean ice edge does not contain small-term fluctuations or interannual variability to the same extent as either the temperature or the pressure. Regionally, the ice varies much more noticeably from year-to-year, with the interannual contrasts showing strong spatial dependence in all months and strong spatial coherence in winter. These are illustrated by selected maps of monthly differences in ice concentrations between 1973 and 1974 and between 1974 and 1975. It is shown that the interannual ice differences can, in many cases, be attributed to the Interannual differences in the positioning and intensity of cyclonic and anticyclonic systems.

scholarly journals The storm tracks and the energy cycle of the Southern Hemisphere: sensitivity to sea-ice boundary conditions

1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 1478-1492 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Menéndez ◽  
V. Serafini ◽  
H. Le Treut
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Zonal Flow ◽  
Sea Level Pressure ◽  
Level Pressure ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ice Edge

Abstract. The effect of sea-ice on various aspects of the Southern Hemisphere (SH) extratropical climate is examined. Two simulations using the LMD GCM are performed: a control run with the observed sea-ice distribution and an anomaly run in which all SH sea-ice is replaced by open ocean. When sea-ice is removed, the mean sea level pressure displays anomalies predominantly negatives near the Antarctic coast. In general, the meridional temperature gradient is reduced over most of the Southern Ocean, the polar jet is weaker and the sea level pressure rises equatorward of the control ice edge. The high frequency filtered standard deviation of both the sea level pressure and the 300-hPa geopotential height decreases over the southern Pacific and southwestern Atlantic oceans, especially to the north of the ice edge (as prescribed in the control). In contrast, over the Indian Ocean the perturbed simulation exhibits less variability equatorward of about 50°S and increased variability to the south. The zonal averages of the zonal and eddy potential and kinetic energies were evaluated. The effect of removing sea-ice is to diminish the available potential energy of the mean zonal flow, the available potential energy of the perturbations, the kinetic energy of the growing disturbances and the kinetic energy of the mean zonal flow over most of the Southern Ocean. The zonally averaged intensity of the subpolar trough and the rate of the baroclinic energy conversions are also weaker.Key words. Air-sea interactions · Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (climatology; ocean · atmosphere interactions)

scholarly journals Sea Ice Freeboard in the Ross Sea from Airborne Altimetry IcePod 2016–2017 and a Comparison with IceBridge 2013 and ICESat 2003–2008

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 2226
Author(s):  
Liuxi Tian ◽  
Hongjie Xie ◽  
Stephen F. Ackley ◽  
Kirsty J. Tinto ◽  
Robin E. Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Ross Sea ◽  
Lidar Data ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Katabatic Winds ◽  
Mcmurdo Station ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ice Production

As part of the Polynyas and Ice Production in the Ross Sea (PIPERS) project, the IcePod system onboard the LC-130 aircraft based at McMurdo Station was flown over the Ross Sea, Antarctica in November 2016 and 2017, with the purpose of repeating the same lines that NASA’s Operation IceBridge (OIB) aircraft flew over in 2013. We resampled the lidar data into 70 m pixels (similar to the footprint size of OIB L2 and ICESat data) and took the mean of the lowest 2% elevation values of 25 km (50 km) length along a flight track as the local sea level of the central 25 km (50 km). Most of the IcePod data were over the same flight lines taken by OIB in 2013, so the total freeboard changes from 2013 to 2016 and 2017 were examined. Combining with the ICESat (2003–2008), we obtained a better picture of total freeboard and its interannual variability in the Ross Sea. The pattern of the sea ice distribution supports that new ice produced in coastal polynyas was transported northward by katabatic winds off the ice shelf. Compared to ICESat years, sea ice near the coast was thicker, while sea ice offshore was thinner in the more recent OIB/IcePod years. The results also showed that, in general, sea ice was thicker in 2017 compared to 2013 or 2016—0.02–0.55 m thicker in total freeboard.

scholarly journals A 60-year ice-core record of regional climate from Adélie Land, coastal Antarctica

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 343-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sentia Goursaud ◽  
Valérie Masson-Delmotte ◽  
Vincent Favier ◽  
Susanne Preunkert ◽  
Michel Fily ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Ice Core ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Sea Ice Extent ◽  
Antarctic Ice Sheet ◽  
Ice Core Record ◽  
Decadal Variations ◽  
The Mean

Abstract. A 22.4 m-long shallow firn core was extracted during the 2006/2007 field season from coastal Adélie Land. Annual layer counting based on subannual analyses of δ18O and major chemical components was combined with 5 reference years associated with nuclear tests and non-retreat of summer sea ice to build the initial ice-core chronology (1946–2006), stressing uncertain counting for 8 years. We focus here on the resulting δ18O and accumulation records. With an average value of 21.8 ± 6.9 cm w.e. yr−1, local accumulation shows multi-decadal variations peaking in the 1980s, but no long-term trend. Similar results are obtained for δ18O, also characterised by a remarkably low and variable amplitude of the seasonal cycle. The ice-core records are compared with regional records of temperature, stake area accumulation measurements and variations in sea-ice extent, and outputs from two models nudged to ERA (European Reanalysis) atmospheric reanalyses: the high-resolution atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM), including stable water isotopes ECHAM5-wiso (European Centre Hamburg model), and the regional atmospheric model Modèle Atmosphérique Régional (AR). A significant linear correlation is identified between decadal variations in δ18O and regional temperature. No significant relationship appears with regional sea-ice extent. A weak and significant correlation appears with Dumont d'Urville wind speed, increasing after 1979. The model-data comparison highlights the inadequacy of ECHAM5-wiso simulations prior to 1979, possibly due to the lack of data assimilation to constrain atmospheric reanalyses. Systematic biases are identified in the ECHAM5-wiso simulation, such as an overestimation of the mean accumulation rate and its interannual variability, a strong cold bias and an underestimation of the mean δ18O value and its interannual variability. As a result, relationships between simulated δ18O and temperature are weaker than observed. Such systematic precipitation and temperature biases are not displayed by MAR, suggesting that the model resolution plays a key role along the Antarctic ice sheet coastal topography. Interannual variations in ECHAM5-wiso temperature and precipitation accurately capture signals from meteorological data and stake observations and are used to refine the initial ice-core chronology within 2 years. After this adjustment, remarkable positive (negative) δ18O anomalies are identified in the ice-core record and the ECHAM5-wiso simulation in 1986 and 2002 (1998–1999), respectively. Despite uncertainties associated with post-deposition processes and signal-to-noise issues, in one single coastal ice-core record, we conclude that the S1C1 core can correctly capture major annual anomalies in δ18O as well as multi-decadal variations. These findings highlight the importance of improving the network of coastal high-resolution ice-core records, and stress the skills and limitations of atmospheric models for accumulation and δ18O in coastal Antarctic areas. This is particularly important for the overall East Antarctic ice sheet mass balance.

scholarly journals Sea ice drift in the Southern Ocean: Regional patterns, variability, and trends

Elem Sci Anth ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ron Kwok ◽  
Shirley S. Pang ◽  
Sahra Kacimi
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Amundsen Sea ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Ice Drift ◽  
Sea Ice Drift

Understanding long-term changes in large-scale sea ice drift in the Southern Ocean is of considerable interest given its contribution to ice extent, to ice production in open waters, with associated dense water formation and heat flux to the atmosphere, and thus to the climate system. In this paper, we examine the trends and variability of this ice drift in a 34-year record (1982–2015) derived from satellite observations. Uncertainties in drift (~3 to 4 km day–1) were assessed with higher resolution observations. In a linear model, drift speeds were ~1.4% of the geostrophic wind from reanalyzed sea-level pressure, nearly 50% higher than that of the Arctic. This result suggests an ice cover in the Southern Ocean that is thinner, weaker, and less compact. Geostrophic winds explained all but ~40% of the variance in ice drift. Three spatially distinct drift patterns were shown to be controlled by the location and depth of atmospheric lows centered over the Amundsen, Riiser-Larsen, and Davis seas. Positively correlated changes in sea-level pressures at the three centers (up to 0.64) suggest correlated changes in the wind-driven drift patterns. Seasonal trends in ice edge are linked to trends in meridional winds and also to on-ice/off-ice trends in zonal winds, due to zonal asymmetry of the Antarctic ice cover. Sea ice area export at flux gates that parallel the 1000-m isobath were extended to cover the 34-year record. Interannual variability in ice export in the Ross and Weddell seas linked to the depth and location of the Amundsen Sea and Riiser-Larsen Sea lows to their east. Compared to shorter records, where there was a significant positive trend in Ross Sea ice area flux, the longer 34-year trends of outflow from both seas are now statistically insignificant.

Impact of Winds and Southern Ocean SSTs on Antarctic Sea Ice Trends and Variability

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 949-965
Author(s):  
Edward Blanchard-Wrigglesworth ◽  
Lettie A. Roach ◽  
Aaron Donohoe ◽  
Qinghua Ding
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Earth System ◽  
Anthropogenic Forcing ◽  
Antarctic Sea Ice ◽  
Long Term Trends

AbstractAntarctic sea ice extent (SIE) has slightly increased over the satellite observational period (1979 to the present) despite global warming. Several mechanisms have been invoked to explain this trend, such as changes in winds, precipitation, or ocean stratification, yet there is no widespread consensus. Additionally, fully coupled Earth system models run under historic and anthropogenic forcing generally fail to simulate positive SIE trends over this time period. In this work, we quantify the role of winds and Southern Ocean SSTs on sea ice trends and variability with an Earth system model run under historic and anthropogenic forcing that nudges winds over the polar regions and Southern Ocean SSTs north of the sea ice to observations from 1979 to 2018. Simulations with nudged winds alone capture the observed interannual variability in SIE and the observed long-term trends from the early 1990s onward, yet for the longer 1979–2018 period they simulate a negative SIE trend, in part due to faster-than-observed warming at the global and hemispheric scale in the model. Simulations with both nudged winds and SSTs show no significant SIE trends over 1979–2018, in agreement with observations. At the regional scale, simulated sea ice shows higher skill compared to the pan-Antarctic scale both in capturing trends and interannual variability in all nudged simulations. We additionally find negligible impact of the initial conditions in 1979 on long-term trends.

scholarly journals Evaluating seasonal sea-ice cover over the Southern Ocean from the Last Glacial Maximum

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan A. Green ◽  
Laurie Menviel ◽  
Katrin J. Meissner ◽  
Xavier Crosta
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Last Glacial Maximum ◽  
Austral Summer ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
Proxy Records ◽  
Ice Edge ◽  
Sea Ice Edge ◽  
The Last Glacial Maximum ◽  
The Last Glacial

Abstract. Sea-ice cover over the Southern Ocean responds to and impacts Southern Ocean dynamics and, thus, mid to high latitude climate in the Southern Hemisphere. In addition, sea-ice cover can significantly modulate the carbon exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean. As climate models are the only tool available to project future climate changes, it is important to assess their performance in simulating past changes. The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, ∼21,000 years ago) represents an interesting target as it is a relatively well documented period with climatic conditions and a carbon cycle very different from pre-industrial conditions. Here, we study the changes in seasonal Antarctic sea-ice cover as simulated in numerical PMIP3 and LOVECLIM simulations of the LGM, and their relationship with windstress and ocean temperature. Simulations and paleo-proxy records suggest a fairly well constrained glacial winter sea-ice edge at 51.5° S (1 sigma range: 50°–55.5° S). Simulated glacial summer sea-ice cover however differs widely between models, ranging from almost no sea ice to a sea-ice edge reaching 55.5° S. The austral summer multi-model mean sea-ice edge lies at ∼60.5° S (1 sigma range: 57.5°–70.5° S). Given the lack of strong constraints on the summer sea-ice edge based on sea-ice proxy records, we extend our model-data comparison to summer sea-surface temperature. Our analysis suggests that the multi-model mean summer sea ice provides a reasonable, albeit upper end, estimate of the austral summer sea-ice edge allowing us to conclude that the multi-model mean of austral summer and winter sea-ice cover seem to provide good estimates of LGM conditions. Using these best estimates, we find that there was a larger sea-ice seasonality during the LGM compared to the present day.

scholarly journals Meridional Sea-Ice Transport and its Impact on Climate

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 141-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Shapiro Ledley
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Energy Exchange ◽  
Sensible Heat Flux ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Sensible Heat ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ice Edge ◽  
Energy Convergence ◽  
Ice Model

Sea ice is an important factor in controlling the ocean–atmosphere energy exchange in polar regions, and has an important impact on climate. This is because sea ice insulates the relatively warm ocean from the cold winter atmosphere, and has a higher surface albedo than the ocean. In this study the effect of sea-ice transport on the energy exchange between the atmosphere and ocean, and thus on climate, is examined using a coupled energy-balance climate–thermodynamic sea-ice model. Transport of sea ice produces a thinning of the zonally annually-averaged sea ice in the poleward-most zones, and an extension of the ice edge equatorward. Thinning of the poleward-most ice produces an increase in the annual sensible heat flux from the ocean to the atmosphere, which produces an increase in the mean annual atmospheric temperatures. Sensible heat flux is decreased in the zones that contain the ice edge. However, warming in the poleward-most zones produces an increased meridional energy convergence at the ice edge that offsets the decrease in the sensible heat flux to the atmosphere, resulting in a net warming.

Causes and consequences of Southern Ocean change: the IPCC SROCC assessment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Meredith ◽  
Martin Sommerkorn ◽  
Sandra Cassotta ◽  
Chris Derksen ◽  
Alexey Ekaykin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Ice Sheets ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Ice Shelves

<p>Climate change in the polar regions exerts a profound influence both locally and over all of our planet.  Physical and ecosystem changes influence societies and economies, via factors that include food provision, transport and access to non-renewable resources.  Sea level, global climate and potentially mid-latitude weather are influenced by the changing polar regions, through coupled feedback processes, sea ice changes and the melting of snow and land-based ice sheets and glaciers.</p><p>Reflecting this importance, the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) features a chapter highlighting past, ongoing and future change in the polar regions, the impacts of these changes, and the possible options for response.  The role of the polar oceans, both in determining the changes and impacts in the polar regions and in structuring the global influence, is an important component of this chapter.</p><p>With emphasis on the Southern Ocean and through comparison with the Arctic, this talk will outline key findings from the polar regions chapter of SROCC. It will synthesise the latest information on the rates, patterns and causes of changes in sea ice, ocean circulation and properties. It will assess cryospheric driving of ocean change from ice sheets, ice shelves and glaciers, and the role of the oceans in determining the past and future evolutions of polar land-based ice. The implications of these changes for climate, ecosystems, sea level and the global system will be outlined.</p>

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