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Understanding the Significance of Sea Ice: Impacts on Polar Fauna and Global Climate

Explore the basic concepts of sea ice, its formation, types, and significance in the polar regions. Delve into the heat flux dynamics, albedo effects, and potential marine, economical, chemical, and physical impacts of melting sea ice.

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Understanding the Significance of Sea Ice: Impacts on Polar Fauna and Global Climate

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  1. Sea Ice Joan Pravatiner November 20, 2007 Bearded seals on the ice, Pribilof Islands, February 2007

  2. Basic Concepts Pack ice north of the Pribilof Islands, March 2007 • Sea ice is frozen salt water • Icebergs are frozen fresh water, calved off of glaciers. • Biologically important to the polar fauna • Formed at roughly -2 C • Salt is forced out during freezing, so the ice is actually fresh. • This results in an increased salinity in the water. • Forms a boundary layer between the (relatively) warm polar waters and the colder atmosphere • Two varieties of sea ice • Fast ice: attached to polar land masses • Pack ice: free-floating chunks So what’s the significance?

  3. Heat Flux in the Poles • Albedo = reflectivity of solar radiation (Qs) • Ice has one of the highest albedos • Snow-covered polar ice can be up to 95% • Nearly all absorption goes to melting ice, not heating water • Precipitation greatly outweighs evaporation (Qe) • Conduction primary method of oceanic heat loss (Qh) • With insulation, restricts ice thickness to about 3-5 m • Small open areas or polynyas that shift through seasons Melting pack ice, Pribilof Islands, March 2007

  4. Albedo and Radiation http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a010000/a010022/cleanice.mpg

  5. Possible Marine Effects of Oceanic Warming (or “Doomsday Predictions 101”) • BIOLOGICAL: • Ice-dependent species lose critical habitat: “charismatic megafauna” • Ranges are skewed to higher latitudes. Non-native species in new areas. • Increased primary production • ECONOMICAL: • Possible large effects on fisheries • NW Passage clear for shipping • CHEMICAL: • Decreased ocean acidification rate • CO2 sink might become a source • PHYSICAL: • Increased atmospheric temperature from CO2 • Glacial melting • Vast freshwater input, effects on density-driven circulation • Sea level rise

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