Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
Contrasts in sea ice deformation and production in the Arctic seasonal and perennial ice zones (2006)
| Content Provider | CiteSeerX |
|---|---|
| Author | Kwok, R. |
| Abstract | Four years (1997-2000) of RADARSAT Geophysical Processor System (RGPS) data are used to contrast the sea ice deformation and production regionally, and in the seasonal (SIZ) and perennial (PIZ) ice zones. Ice production is of seasonal ice in openings during the winter. 3-day estimates of these quantities are provided within Lagrangian elements initially 10 km on a side. A distinct seasonal cycle is seen in both zones with these estimates highest in the late fall and with seasonal minimums in the mid-winter. Regional divergence over the winter could be up to 30%. Spatially, the highest deformation is in the SIZ north of coastal Alaska. Both ice deformation and production are higher in the SIZ: deformation-related ice production in the SIZ (~0.5 m) is 1.5-2.3 times that of the PIZ (~0.3 m)- this is connected to ice strength and thickness. Atmospheric forcing and boundary layer structure contribute to only the seasonal and interannual variability. Seasonal ice growth in ice fractures accounts for ~25-40 % of the total ice production of the Arctic Ocean. Uncertainties in these estimates are discussed. By itself, this deformation-ice production relationship could be considered a negative feedback when thickness is perturbed. However, the overall effect on ice production in the face of increasing seasonal and thinner/weaker ice coverage could be modified by: local destabilization of the water column promoting overturning of warmer water due to increased brine rejection; and, the upwelling of the pynocline associated with increased occurrence of large shear motion in sea ice. Divergence is shown to be negligibly correlated to cyclonic motion in summer and winter in both ice zones. 11 |
| File Format | |
| Journal | Journal of Geophysical Research |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 2006-01-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Sea Ice Deformation Perennial Ice Zone Arctic Seasonal Ice Production Ice Zone Regional Divergence Interannual Variability Local Destabilization Brine Rejection Ice Fracture Account Seasonal Ice Growth Increased Occurrence Late Fall Total Ice Production Distinct Seasonal Cycle Negative Feedback Deformation-related Ice Production Deformation-ice Production Relationship Siz North Large Shear Motion Seasonal Ice Seasonal Minimum Arctic Ocean Ice Deformation 3-day Estimate Overall Effect Sea Ice Boundary Layer Structure Contribute Atmospheric Forcing Coastal Alaska Cyclonic Motion Radarsat Geophysical Processor System Warmer Water Lagrangian Element Water Column Ice Coverage |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |