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| Titel |
Arctic Freshwater Export: Prospects, Impacts, and Challenges |
| VerfasserIn |
T. W. N. Haine, K. Stewart |
| Konferenz |
EGU General Assembly 2012
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| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| Digitales Dokument |
PDF |
| Erschienen |
In: GRA - Volume 14 (2012) |
| Datensatznummer |
250067481
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| Zusammenfassung |
| Large freshwater anomalies clearly exist in the Arctic Ocean. They are due to enhanced
melting of sea ice, increased runoff, and changes in atmospheric circulation that lead to
surface convergence of freshwater. For example, freshwater has accumulated in the Beaufort
Sea over the last 30 years, with an extra - 5000Â km3—about 25%—being stored. It is likely
that this extra freshwater will be released from the Arctic via the Fram Strait and/or the
Canadian Archipelago, perhaps as another “Great Salinity Anomaly”. The freshwater
discharge will likely have impacts on subpolar Atlantic circulation and ecosystems
for several years. In light of coupled climate model forecasts, it may herald a new
regime for the Arctic/sub-Arctic ocean. An unprecedented opportunity exists to
anticipate and observe this discharge process. This contribution will review the state of
knowledge about Arctic freshwater anomalies, and outline potential scenarios for
future Arctic freshwater export. Key uncertainties in estimating the timing, rates,
and pathways of freshwater export will be identified. Challenges for observing
systems to monitor the progress of anomalous freshwater will also be discussed. |
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