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Winter seal-based observations reveal glacial meltwater surfacing in the southeastern Amundsen Sea

Earth Sciences

Winter seal-based observations reveal glacial meltwater surfacing in the southeastern Amundsen Sea

Y. Zheng, K. J. Heywood, et al.

This research conducted by Yixi Zheng and colleagues explores the vital role of glacial meltwater in polar oceans, revealing a unique distribution pattern near Pine Island Glacier that impacts Earth's climate system. Its findings highlight the significance of these processes for predicting climate responses to ice sheet mass loss.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
Determining the injection of glacial meltwater into polar oceans is crucial for quantifying the climate system response to ice sheet mass loss. This study presents winter meltwater distribution near Pine Island Glacier using data collected by tagged seals, revealing a highly variable meltwater distribution with two meltwater-rich layers and scattered meltwater-rich columns. The hydrographic signature of meltwater is clearest in winter, when its presence can be unambiguously mapped. The buoyant meltwater provides near-surface heat that helps maintain polynyas close to ice shelves, demonstrating the importance of representing these small-scale processes in Earth system models.
Publisher
Communications Earth & Environment
Published On
Mar 05, 2021
Authors
Yixi Zheng, Karen J. Heywood, Benjamin G. M. Webber, David P. Stevens, Louise C. Biddle, Lars Boehme, Brice Loose
Tags
glacial meltwater
polar oceans
climate system
Pine Island Glacier
ice sheet mass loss
hydrographic signature
Earth system models
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