Modeling the formation and fate of the near-surface temperature maximum in the Canadian Basin of the Arctic Ocean

A numerical model is used to investigate the time and space extent of the near‐surface temperature maximum (NSTM) of the Canadian Basin of the Arctic Ocean over the years 2000–2009. The NSTM is formed from local summertime absorption of solar radiation which, in some circumstances, descends through...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans 2011-11, Vol.116 (C11), p.n/a
Main Authors: Steele, Michael, Ermold, Wendy, Zhang, Jinlun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Advection
Arctic Ocean
Beaufort Gyre
Canadian Basin
Downwelling
Geophysics
Ice cover
Marine
Mathematical models
Mixed layer
Modelling
Numerical models
Oceanography
Oceans
Physical oceanography
Radiation absorption
Sea ice
Sea surface temperature
Solar radiation
Stratification
Summer
Surface temperature
Survival
Temperature maximum layer
warming
Winter
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Summary:A numerical model is used to investigate the time and space extent of the near‐surface temperature maximum (NSTM) of the Canadian Basin of the Arctic Ocean over the years 2000–2009. The NSTM is formed from local summertime absorption of solar radiation which, in some circumstances, descends through the fall and early winter to form a warm subsurface layer just below the winter mixed layer. We find that winter survival of this layer is confined largely to the Beaufort Gyre of the Canadian Basin, where Ekman convergence and downwelling push the summer warm layer down below the winter mixing depth. In recent years, summer stratification has increased, downwelling has accelerated, and the NSTM has warmed as the sea ice cover in the Beaufort Gyre has thinned. The result is a strengthening NSTM which contained enough heat by the end of winter 2007/2008 to melt about 20 cm of sea ice. Northwest of Alaska the model also simulates a second, deeper temperature maximum layer that forms from advection of saltier summer Pacific water. However, this layer is difficult to adequately resolve and maintain given the model's resolution. Key Points The NSTM survives through the winter only in the Beaufort Gyre By the end of winter the NSTM contains enough heat to melt ∼20 cm of ice The model lacks vertical resolution to maintain sPW
ISSN:0148-0227
2169-9275
2156-2202
2169-9291
DOI:10.1029/2010JC006803