scholarly journals Large-scale temperature and salinity changes in the upper Canadian Basin of the Arctic Ocean at a time of a drastic Arctic Oscillation inversion

Ocean Science ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 447-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Bourgain ◽  
J. C. Gascard ◽  
J. Shi ◽  
J. Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Arctic Oscillation ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Beaufort Gyre ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Arctic Ocean ◽  
Canadian Basin

Abstract. Between 2008 and 2010, the Arctic Oscillation index over Arctic regions shifted from positive values corresponding to more cyclonic conditions prevailing during the 4th International Polar Year (IPY) period (2007–2008) to extremely negative values corresponding to strong anticyclonic conditions in 2010. In this context, we investigated the recent large-scale evolution of the upper western Arctic Ocean, based on temperature and salinity summertime observations collected during icebreaker campaigns and from ice-tethered profilers (ITPs) drifting across the region in 2008 and 2010. Particularly, we focused on (1) the freshwater content which was extensively studied during previous years, (2) the near-surface temperature maximum due to incoming solar radiation, and (3) the water masses advected from the Pacific Ocean into the Arctic Ocean. The observations revealed a freshwater content change in the Canadian Basin during this time period. South of 80° N, the freshwater content increased, while north of 80° N, less freshening occurred in 2010 compared to 2008. This was more likely due to the strong anticyclonicity characteristic of a low AO index mode that enhanced both a wind-generated Ekman pumping in the Beaufort Gyre and a possible diversion of the Siberian River runoff toward the Eurasian Basin at the same time. The near-surface temperature maximum due to incoming solar radiation was almost 1 °C colder in the southern Canada Basin (south of 75° N) in 2010 compared to 2008, which contrasted with the positive trend observed during previous years. This was more likely due to higher summer sea ice concentration in 2010 compared to 2008 in that region, and surface albedo feedback reflecting more sun radiation back in space. The Pacific water (PaW) was also subjected to strong spatial and temporal variability between 2008 and 2010. In the Canada Basin, both summer and winter PaW signatures were stronger between 75° N and 80° N. This was more likely due to a strong recirculation within the Beaufort Gyre. In contrast, south of 75° N, the cooling and warming of the summer and winter PaW, respectively, suggest that either the PaW was less present in 2010 than in 2008 in this region, and/or the PaW was older in 2010 than in 2008. In addition, in the vicinity of the Chukchi Sea, both summer and winter PaW were significantly warmer in 2010 than in 2008, as a consequence of a general warming trend of the PaW entering in the deep Arctic Ocean as of 2008.

scholarly journals Large-scale temperature and salinity changes in the upper Canadian basin of the Arctic Ocean at a time of a drastic Arctic Oscillation inversion

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 2001-2038 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Bourgain ◽  
J. C. Gascard ◽  
J. Shi ◽  
J. Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Arctic Oscillation ◽  
Atlantic Water ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Beaufort Gyre ◽  
Pacific Waters ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Canadian Basin

Abstract. Between 2008 and 2010, the Arctic Oscillation index over Arctic regions shifted from positive values corresponding to more cyclonic conditions prevailing during IPY period (2007–2008) to extremely negative values corresponding to strong anticyclonic conditions in 2010. In this context, we investigated the recent large scale evolution of the upper Western Arctic Ocean based on temperature and salinity summertime observations collected during icebreaker campaigns and from Ice-Tethered Platforms (ITP) drifting across the region in 2008 and 2010. Particularly, we focused on (1) the freshwater content which was extensively studied during previous years, (2) the Near Surface Temperature Maximum due to incoming solar radiation and (3) the water masses advected from the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans into the deep Arctic Ocean. The observations revealed a freshwater content change in the Canadian basin during this time period. South of 80° N, the freshwater content increased, while north of 80° N, less freshening occurred in 2010 compared to 2008. This was more likely due to the strong anticyclonicity characteristic of a low AO index mode that enhanced both a wind-generated Ekman pumping in the Beaufort Gyre and a diversion of the Siberian rivers runoff toward the Eurasian basin at the same time. The Near Surface Temperature Maximum due to incoming solar radiation was almost 1 °C colder in the Southern Canada basin (south of 75° N) in 2010 compared to 2008 which contrasted with the positive trend observed during previous years. This was more likely due to higher summer sea ice concentration in 2010 compared to 2008 in that region, and surface albedo feedback reflecting more sun radiation back in space. The Pacific waters were also subjected to strong spatial and temporal variability between 2008 and 2010. In the Canada basin, both Summer and Winter Pacific waters influence increased between 75° N and 80° N. This was more likely due to a strong recirculation within the Beaufort Gyre. In contrast, south of 75° N, the PaW influence decreased indicative of the fact that they were not responsible for the freshening already mentioned, due to other sources. In addition, in the vicinity of the Chukchi Sea, both Summer and Winter Pacific waters were significantly warmer in 2010 than in 2008 as a consequence of a general warming trend of the Pacific waters entering in the deep Arctic Ocean since 2008. Finally, the warm Atlantic water remained relatively stable between 2008 and 2010 in the Canadian basin despite strong atmospheric shift, probably because of large time lag response. Atlantic water variability resulting from the presence of a warm "pulse-like" event in this region since 2005 was still noticeable even if a cooling effect was observed at a rate of 0.015 °C yr−1 between 2008 and 2010 in that region.

scholarly journals Export of Arctic freshwater components through the Fram Strait 1998–2010

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 2749-2792
Author(s):  
B. Rabe ◽  
P. Dodd ◽  
E. Hansen ◽  
E. Falck ◽  
U. Schauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Fram Strait ◽  
Pacific Water ◽  
Ice Melt ◽  
The North ◽  
Beaufort Gyre ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Arctic Ocean

Abstract. The East Greenland Current in the Western Fram Strait is an important pathway for liquid freshwater export from the Arctic Ocean to the Nordic Seas and the North Atlantic subpolar gyre. We analysed five hydrographic surveys and data from moored current meters around 79° N in the Western Fram Strait between 1998 and 2010. To estimate the composition of southward liquid freshwater transports, inventories of liquid freshwater and components from Dodd et al. (2012) were combined with transport estimates from an inverse model between 10.6° W and 4° E. The southward liquid freshwater transports through the section averaged to 92 mSv (2900 km3 yr−1), relative to a salinity of 34.9. The transports consisted of 123 mSv water from rivers and precipitation (meteoric water), 28 mSv freshwater from the Pacific and 60 mSv freshwater deficit due to brine from ice formation. Variability in liquid freshwater and component transports appear to have been partly due to advection of these water masses to the Fram Strait and partly due to variations in the local volume transport; an exception are Pacific Water transports, which showed little co-variability with volume transports. An increase in Pacific Water transports from 2005 to 2010 suggests a release of Pacific Water from the Beaufort Gyre, in line with an observed expansion of Pacific Water towards the Eurasian Basin. The co-variability of meteoric water and brine from ice formation suggests joint processes in the main sea ice formation regions on the Arctic Ocean shelves. In addition, enhanced levels of sea ice melt observed in 2009 likely led to reduced transports of brine from ice formation. At least part of this additional ice melt appears to have been advected from the Beaufort Gyre and from north of the Bering Strait towards the Fram Strait. The observed changes in liquid freshwater component transports are much larger than known trends in the Arctic liquid freshwater inflow from rivers and the Pacific. Instead, recent observations of an increased storage of liquid freshwater in the Arctic Ocean suggest a decreased export of liquid freshwater. This raises the question how fast the accumulated liquid freshwater will be exported from the Arctic Ocean to the deep water formation regions in the North Atlantic and if an increased export will occur through the Fram Strait.

Delayed responses of the oceanic Beaufort Gyre to winds and sea ice motions: influences on variations of sea ice cover in the Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eri Yoshizawa ◽  
Koji Shimada ◽  
Ho Kyung Ha ◽  
Tae Wan Kim ◽  
Sung Ho Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Beaufort Gyre ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Arctic Ocean ◽  
Delayed Responses

scholarly journals A warm jet in a cold ocean

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. MacKinnon ◽  
Harper L. Simmons ◽  
John Hargrove ◽  
Jim Thomson ◽  
Thomas Peacock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Arctic ◽  
Bering Strait ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Ice Melt ◽  
Beaufort Gyre ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Climate Simulations ◽  
Initial Evolution ◽  
Forecast Models

AbstractUnprecedented quantities of heat are entering the Pacific sector of the Arctic Ocean through Bering Strait, particularly during summer months. Though some heat is lost to the atmosphere during autumn cooling, a significant fraction of the incoming warm, salty water subducts (dives beneath) below a cooler fresher layer of near-surface water, subsequently extending hundreds of kilometers into the Beaufort Gyre. Upward turbulent mixing of these sub-surface pockets of heat is likely accelerating sea ice melt in the region. This Pacific-origin water brings both heat and unique biogeochemical properties, contributing to a changing Arctic ecosystem. However, our ability to understand or forecast the role of this incoming water mass has been hampered by lack of understanding of the physical processes controlling subduction and evolution of this this warm water. Crucially, the processes seen here occur at small horizontal scales not resolved by regional forecast models or climate simulations; new parameterizations must be developed that accurately represent the physics. Here we present novel high resolution observations showing the detailed process of subduction and initial evolution of warm Pacific-origin water in the southern Beaufort Gyre.

scholarly journals Effects of Climatic Drivers and Teleconnections on Late 20th Century Trends in Spring Freshet of Four Major Arctic-Draining Rivers

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 179
Author(s):  
Roxanne Ahmed ◽  
Terry Prowse ◽  
Yonas Dibike ◽  
Barrie Bonsal
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Late 20Th Century ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
The Arctic Ocean ◽  
Spring Freshet ◽  
Climatic Drivers

Spring freshet is the dominant annual discharge event in all major Arctic draining rivers with large contributions to freshwater inflow to the Arctic Ocean. Research has shown that the total freshwater influx to the Arctic Ocean has been increasing, while at the same time, the rate of change in the Arctic climate is significantly higher than in other parts of the globe. This study assesses the large-scale atmospheric and surface climatic conditions affecting the magnitude, timing and regional variability of the spring freshets by analyzing historic daily discharges from sub-basins within the four largest Arctic-draining watersheds (Mackenzie, Ob, Lena and Yenisei). Results reveal that climatic variations closely match the observed regional trends of increasing cold-season flows and earlier freshets. Flow regulation appears to suppress the effects of climatic drivers on freshet volume but does not have a significant impact on peak freshet magnitude or timing measures. Spring freshet characteristics are also influenced by El Niño-Southern Oscillation, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, the Arctic Oscillation and the North Atlantic Oscillation, particularly in their positive phases. The majority of significant relationships are found in unregulated stations. This study provides a key insight into the climatic drivers of observed trends in freshet characteristics, whilst clarifying the effects of regulation versus climate at the sub-basin scale.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of Surface Atmospheric Changes over the Arctic Ocean for 2000–09 Using Recent Reanalyses

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayan H. Chaudhuri ◽  
Rui M. Ponte
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Extreme Event ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Surface Radiation ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
The Arctic Ocean ◽  
Ice Retreat

Abstract The authors examine five recent reanalysis products [NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR), Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA), Japanese 25-year Reanalysis Project (JRA-25), Interim ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim), and Arctic System Reanalysis (ASR)] for 1) trends in near-surface radiation fluxes, air temperature, and humidity, which are important indicators of changes within the Arctic Ocean and also influence sea ice and ocean conditions, and 2) fidelity of these atmospheric fields and effects for an extreme event: namely, the 2007 ice retreat. An analysis of trends over the Arctic for the past decade (2000–09) shows that reanalysis solutions have large spreads, particularly for downwelling shortwave radiation. In many cases, the differences in significant trends between the five reanalysis products are comparable to the estimated trend within a particular product. These discrepancies make it difficult to establish a consensus on likely changes occurring in the Arctic solely based on results from reanalyses fields. Regarding the 2007 ice retreat event, comparisons with remotely sensed estimates of downwelling radiation observations against these reanalysis products present an ambiguity. Remotely sensed observations from a study cited herewith suggest a large increase in downwelling summertime shortwave radiation and decrease in downwelling summertime longwave radiation from 2006 and 2007. On the contrary, the reanalysis products show only small gains in summertime shortwave radiation, if any; however, all the products show increases in downwelling longwave radiation. Thus, agreement within reanalysis fields needs to be further checked against observations to assess possible biases common to all products.

Oil Spills in the Arctic Ocean: Extent of Spreading and Possibility of Large-Scale Thermal Effects

Science ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 186 (4166) ◽  
pp. 843-845
Author(s):  
R. C. Ayers ◽  
H. O. Jahns ◽  
J. L. Glaeser
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Thermal Effects ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
The Arctic Ocean

scholarly journals A Diagnostic Model of the Nordic Seas and Arctic Ocean Circulation: Quantifying the Effects of a Variable Bottom Density along a Sloping Topography

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 2685-2703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Signe Aaboe ◽  
Ole Anders Nøst
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Diagnostic Model ◽  
Large Scale Circulation ◽  
Nordic Seas ◽  
Variable Bottom ◽  
Canadian Basin ◽  
Baroclinic Transport

Abstract A linear diagnostic model, solving for the time-mean large-scale circulation in the Nordic seas and Arctic Ocean, is presented. Solutions on depth contours that close within the Nordic seas and Arctic Ocean are found from vorticity balances integrated over the areas enclosed by the contours. Climatological data for wind stress and hydrography are used as input to the model, and the bottom geostrophic flow is assumed to follow depth contours. Comparison against velocity observations shows that the simplified dynamics in the model capture many aspects of the large-scale circulation. Special attention is given to the dynamical effects of an along-isobath varying bottom density, which leads to a transformation between barotropic and baroclinic transport. Along the continental slope, enclosing both the Nordic seas and Arctic Ocean, the along-slope barotropic transport has a maximum in the Nordic seas and a minimum in the Canadian Basin with a difference of 9 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) between the two. This is caused by the relatively lower bottom densities in the Canadian Basin compared to the Nordic seas and suggests that most of the barotropic transport entering the Arctic Ocean through the Fram Strait is transformed to baroclinic transport. A conversion from barotropic to baroclinic flow may be highly important for the slope–basin exchange in the Nordic seas and Arctic Ocean. The model has obvious shortcomings due to its simplicity. However, the simplified physics and the agreement with observations make this model an excellent framework for understanding the large-scale circulation in the Nordic seas and Arctic Ocean.

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