Some formation peculiarities of physical and mechanical ice characteristics in hummocky formations

Main differences are considered in the formation of physical and mechanical ice properties in hummocky formations as compared with level areas of the ice cover. The results of laboratory and field investigations demonstrate that these differences are caused both by dynamometamorphic transformations of crystal ice structure as a result of the compression of ice fields before the beginning of hummocky ice formation and in the process of consolidation of ice blocks within the ice hummocks formed during the winter-spring period.     

Model of space-time dynamics of the Japan Sea ice cover

A model of space-time dynamics of the sea ice cover in which individual ice floes undergo a successive change in size is considered. The formation and melting of ice floes, their aggregation, and the formation of hummocks are taken into account. A parametric model identification is done based on a sample of ice cover area and thickness distribution in the Japan Sea.     

Method of investigation of internal structure of ice hummocks and stamukhas using the thermal drilling technique

Computer recording of thermal drilling rate of ice hummocks and stamukhas gives the objective information on their internal structure and basic morphometric characteristics. Methods of determination of the consolidation layer of ice hummocks and stamukhas and the thermal drilling data processing technique are considered in the paper. The reliability of determination of consolidated layer boundaries on the basis of the thermal drilling rate should be corroborated by the temperature measurements. To estimate the time spent for the ice hummock temperature measurement using the polyethylene tubes which are put into the boreholes and filled with the antifreeze, the experimental study of the borehole freezing rate was carried out depending on the temperature and salinity of ice. The results of experiments corroborating the existence of convection in the antifreeze are given. The used methods of ice hummock temperature measurement are discussed. The method of investigation of ice formations combining the thermal drilling technique and ice temperature measurement on the borehole wall enables to obtain the accurate data on the position of the lower boundary of consolidated layer, although it results in a smaller number of the boreholes.     

Morphometric parameters of ice hummocks and stamukhas from the data of expeditionary research in the northwestern part of the Caspian Sea

The paper is based on the experimental data obtained by the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute during the expeditions carried out in 2001–2008 within the frameworks of the Ice Research Program of Lukoil Co. in the northwestern part of the Caspian Sea. The in situ data processing and their statistical analysis enabled to obtain new information on the geometry of ice formations and distribution of main morphometric parameters of ice hummocks and stamukhas. The regularities are revealed of distributions of morphometric characteristics and parameters of the internal structure of ice hummocks and stamukhas.     

Complex studies of hydrometeorological and ice conditions on the northwestern shelf of the Caspian Sea based on satellite and expedition observational data and model calculations

In accordance with the contract of the LUKOIL Oil Company, a cooperation of the Roshydromet organizations (Planeta Research Center for Space Hydrometeorology, a main contractor, Hydrometeorological Research Center of the Russian Federation, Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, and State Oceanographic Institute) carried out in 2008 complex studies of the hydrometeorological and ice conditions for the Filanovskii oil- and gas-field facility construction on the northwestern shelf of the Caspian Sea. Three expeditions were organized and conducted within that project: a helicopter ice research expedition (specialists from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute carried out a huge volume of measurements of physicomechanic properties of level, rafted and hummocked ice, and morphometric characteristics of ice piling, hummocks, and stamukhas); specialists from the State Oceanographic Institute organized a ship expedition on studying sea ground exaration formed due to impacts of ice formations (hummocks and stamukhas) using hydro-radar and echo-sounder surveys as well as a complex hydrometeorological and hydrochemical expedition with five autonomous buoy stations mounted in two months. From the moment of ice formation to the end of the expedition activity, an operational space monitoring of the northwestern Caspian Sea was carried out at the Planeta Research Center for Space Hydrometeorology. Based on the NOAA, TERRA, and AQUA satellite data, corrected and geographically fixed satellite images of the area of activity were issued with a periodicity of 6 times per day; index maps on the ice situation (twice a week) and ice situation forecasts (lead-time of 1–7 days). Besides, long-term series of satellite data on the northwestern Caspian Sea are collected and processed: their results are used for estimating seasonal and interannual variability of the drift ice and fast ice. Specialists of the Hydrometeorological Research Center of the Russian Federation completed the work on processing and analysis of library materials, research/technical reports, handbooks, expedition observational data, and on hydrodynamic and probability modeling of long-term series of hydrological, meteorological, and partly ice data. In particular, basic characteristics of the hydrological regime (sea level, currents, and waving) are calculated for the place of the oil platform location and along the pipeline routing. Tentative local specifications on the hydrometeorological regime in the Filanovskii field are worked out based on the results of the work performed.     

Coupled ice‐ocean variability in the Greenland Sea

Abstract

A major surface feature of the Greenland Sea during winter is the frequent eastward extension of sea ice south of 75°N and an associated embayment to the north. These features are nominally connected with the East Greenland Current, and both the promontory and the embayment are readily apparent on climatic ice charts. However, there are significant changes in these features on time‐scales as short as a few days. Using a combination of satellite microwave images (SSM/I) of ice cover, meteorological data and in situ velocity, temperature and salinity records, we relate the ice distribution and its changes to the developing structure and circulation of the upper ocean during winter 1988–1989. Our measurements illustrate the preconditioning that leads to convective overturn, which in turn brings warmer water to the surface and results in the rapid disappearance of ice. In particular, the surface was cooled to the freezing point by early December and the salinity then increased through ice formation (about 0.016 m d^‐1) and brine rejection. Once the vertical density gradient was sufficiently eroded, a period of high heat flux (>300 W m^‐2) in late January provided enough buoyancy loss to convectively mix the upper water column to at least 200 m. We estimate vertical velocities at about 3 cm s^‐1 downward during the initial sinking. The deepening of the thermocline raised surface temperatures by over 1°C resulting in nearly 1.5 × 10⁵ km² of ice‐melt within two days. Average rates of ice retreat are about 11 km d^‐1 southwestward, generally consistent with a wind‐driven flow. Comparison of hydrographic surveys from before and after the overturning indicate the fresh water was advected out of the area, possibly to the south and east of our moorings.     

Sensitivity of open-water ice growth and ice concentration evolution in a coupled atmosphere-ocean-sea ice model

A coupled atmosphere-ocean-sea ice model is applied to investigate to what degree the area-thickness distribution of new ice formed in open water affects the ice and ocean properties. Two sensitivity experiments are performed which modify the horizontal-to-vertical aspect ratio of open-water ice growth. The resulting changes in the Arctic sea-ice concentration strongly affect the surface albedo, the ocean heat release to the atmosphere, and the sea-ice production. The changes are further amplified through a positive feedback mechanism among the Arctic sea ice, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), and the surface air temperature in the Arctic, as the Fram Strait sea ice import influences the freshwater budget in the North Atlantic Ocean. Anomalies in sea-ice transport lead to changes in sea surface properties of the North Atlantic and the strength of AMOC. For the Southern Ocean, the most pronounced change is a warming along the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), owing to the interhemispheric bipolar seasaw linked to AMOC weakening. Another insight of this study lies on the improvement of our climate model. The ocean component FESOM is a newly developed ocean-sea ice model with an unstructured mesh and multi-resolution. We find that the subpolar sea-ice boundary in the Northern Hemisphere can be improved by tuning the process of open-water ice growth, which strongly influences the sea ice concentration in the marginal ice zone, the North Atlantic circulation, salinity and Arctic sea ice volume. Since the distribution of new ice on open water relies on many uncertain parameters and the knowledge of the detailed processes is currently too crude, it is a challenge to implement the processes realistically into models. Based on our sensitivity experiments, we conclude a pronounced uncertainty related to open-water sea ice growth which could significantly affect the climate system sensitivity.     

Climatic variations of ice conditions in different regions of the Barents Sea

Presented are the results of studying the regional peculiarities of climatic variations of spatiotemporal distribution of ice in the Barents Sea water area in 1977?C2010. Demonstrated is the dynamics of the interannual and seasonal variability of main elements of the ice regime (ice cover area, ice edge position, and ice period duration). Revealed are the common features and differences in the ice conditions in the water areas under study. It has been found that there is a significant feedback between the specific ice coverage in different areas of the sea. The climatic variations of the total ice coverage of the Barents Sea for the period of 1960?C2010 are analyzed using the electronic database on the Barents Sea ice coverage. It can be supposed that the current warm phase of climatic variations in the Barents Sea is coming to the end.     

Structural classification of dynamometamorphic transformations of first-year sea ice

This paper considers the main features of the structure of dynamometamorphic transformations of first-year ice. The structural classification of these transformations is proposed based on laboratory and natural investigations. It is a logical development of the existing structural classification of first-year ice forming in the Arctic seas without the influence of external forcing on the ice cover.     

The Pangean ice age: studies with a coupled climate-ice sheet model

 Application of an ice sheet model developed for the Pleistocene to the extensive Carboniferous glaciation on Gondwana yields an ice sheet which has several features consistent with observations. While complete deglaciation is not achieved without CO₂ changes, the Milankovich-induced fluctuations in ice sheet volume are comparable to Pleistocene glacial/ interglacial signals. This result is shown to hold for a large fraction of physically reasonable parameter space. The model also exhibits multiple equilibria and sharp bifurcations, as infinitesimal changes in the solar constant or precipitation can lead to a qualitatively different climate. The success of the model in predicting ice location in an environment quite different from the Pleistocene provides additional support for the robustness of the basic model physics and suggests that the model can be applied with some confidence to other pre-Pleistocene glaciations. Received: 30 June 1998 / Accepted: 5 January 1999     

Forecasting the intrawater ice formation and ice jams in the Neva River

Considered is a dangerous ice phenomenon developing in the Neva River during its freezing, the formation of the intrawater ice resulting in the corking of water intakes, and ice jams causing a sharp water runoff decrease downstream of them and floods. Described are the forecasting techniques of the intrawater ice formation intensity, peak ice jam water levels, and thickness of ice jams.     

Impact of primary ice nucleation parameterizations on the formation and maintenance of cirrus

Different ice nucleation algorithms are implemented in a cloud microphysical scheme and numerical simulations of clouds are performed using a three-dimensional mesoscale model. The predicted ice crystal fields are found to be sensitive to the different modes of calculation of the number of deposition/ condensation freezing nuclei and contact freezing nuclei. Also a time and supercooling dependence of this sensitivity is established.The general features of the cirrus clouds observed by the research aircraft Falcon during the 1989 (International Cirrus Experiment) mission ICE212 are compared to those of the cirrus clouds generated by the model. The cloud top height, the cloud ice content and the ice number concentrations seem to be reproduced well.     

Temporal and Spatial Variations of the Aerodynamic Roughness Length in the Ablation Zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet

To understand the response of the Greenland ice sheet to climate change the so-called ablation zone is of particular importance, since it accommodates the yearly net surface ice loss. In numerical models and for data analysis, the bulk aerodynamic method is often used to calculate the turbulent surface fluxes, for which the aerodynamic roughness length (z ₀) is a key parameter. We present, for the first time, spatial and temporal variations of z ₀ in the ablation area of the Greenland ice sheet using year-round data from three automatic weather stations and one eddy-correlation mast. The temporal variation of z ₀ is found to be very high in the lower ablation area (factor 500) with, at the end of the summer melt, a maximum in spatial variation for the whole ablation area of a factor 1000. The variation in time matches the onset of the accumulation and ablation season as recovered by sonic height rangers. During winter, snow accumulation and redistribution by snow drift lead to a uniform value of z ₀≈ 10⁻⁴ m throughout the ablation area. At the beginning of summer, snow melt uncovers ice hummocks and z ₀ quickly increases well above 10⁻² m in the lower ablation area. At the end of summer melt, hummocky ice dominates the surface with z ₀ > 5  ×  10⁻³ m up to 60 km from the ice edge. At the same time, the area close to the equilibrium line (about 90 km from the ice edge) remains very smooth with z ₀ = 10⁻⁵ m. At the beginning of winter, we observed that single snow events have the potential to lower z ₀ for a very rough ice surface by a factor of 20 to 50. The total surface drag of the abundant small-scale ice hummocks apparently dominates over the less frequent large domes and deep gullies. The latter results are verified by studying the individual drag contributions of hummocks and domes with a drag partition model.     

The role of sea ice in climatic variability: Theories and evidence 1

Abstract

The climatic role of sea ice is assessed in a survey of the recent literature. Theoretical or model‐based results are compared with existing evidence of ice‐atmosphere interactions over scales ranging from the local and regional to the hemispheric and global.

The evidence shows that sea‐ice fluctuations are meteorologically important locally, primarily through associations with air temperature. On the regional and hemispheric scales, atmospheric and sea‐ice fluctuations are correlated according to both observational evidence and model experiments. While the causal links have not been evaluated quantitatively, there is evidence that the stronger signal occurs in the response of the ice to the atmosphere. On the longer time‐scales, model experiments and qualitative arguments suggest that sea ice may play a major role in the climatic change. However, the results of large‐scale coupled model simulations contain deficiencies and must be viewed with caution pending more realistic treatments of sea‐ice dynamics, leads, ice thickness variations, and the areally‐integraled effects of the small‐scale features of sea ice.     

Equilibrium ice sheet scaling in climate modeling

A set of simple scaling formulas related to ice sheet evolution is derived from the dynamic and thermodynamic equations for ice and is used to consider two common situations: (a) when we wish to estimate potential ice sheet characteristics given the prescribed net snow accumulation over an area; and (b) when we wish to reconstruct net snow accumulation and vertical temperature difference within the ice sheet given empirical data only concerning ice sheet area and volume. The scaling formulas are applied to the present day Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, as well as to some ancient ice sheets, and are used to estimate the potential global sea level change due to greenhouse warming.     

Radiometer studies of low-salinity sea ice

Theoretical and experimental studies of ultra-high-frequency (UHF) and microwave radiometry to sense remotely the thickness and other characteristics of low-salinity (less than one per mille) sea ice are described. The experimental studies used a 600-MHz and a multichannel, multibeam, 4.7-GHz radiometer carried by a helicopter to measure the brightness temperature of different types of sea ice in the Gulf of Bothnia in 1975 and 1976.The developed theory and experiments show that the brightness temperature of low-salinity sea ice oscillates as a function of ice thickness at UHF frequencies. Due to higher attenuation, the oscillations quickly die away at 4.7 GHz and the brightness temperature reaches an almost constant value when the thickness exceeds a few decimetres. By using a three-channel UHF radiometer with suitably selected center frequencies, the oscillations can be reduced and the effective brightness temperature will grow more linearly with the ice thickness.Experiments show that ice ridges appear as thick ice at 600 MHz and as thinner ice at 4.7 GHz, thus allowing them to be detected by radio techniques.     

不同形状冰晶权重假定对冰云光学和辐射特性的影响

在BCC_RAD辐射传输模式和包含多形状冰晶粒子的冰云光学性质参数化方案的基础上,详细分析了不同冰晶粒子权重选取对冰云光学和辐射特性的影响。结果显示,不同形状冰晶粒子权重的选取对长波带平均消光系数、单次散射比、不对称因子和短波带平均不对称因子均有较大的影响。冰晶粒子权重选取对长波辐射通量有很大影响:对长波向下辐射通量,权重选择不同可在云底处造成高达10.50 W/m2的差别;对长波向上辐射通量,权重选择不同可在云顶处造成高达15.05 W/m2的差别。冰晶粒子权重选择对短波辐射通量也存在较大影响:对短波向下辐射通量,权重选择不同可在云底处造成高达12.48 W/m2的差别;对短波向上辐射通量,权重选择不同可在云顶处造成高达10.23 W/m2的差别。冰晶粒子权重选择对长波加热率影响较大,在云顶处和云底处分别可达1.31和-2.06 K/d。研究表明,不同形状冰晶粒子权重的选取对冰云光学性质和辐射计算均有较大的影响,在长波区间尤其明显。      

Simulation of sea ice in FGOALS-g2: Climatology and late 20th century changes

Sea ice is an important component in the Earth’s climate system. Coupled climate system models are indispensable tools for the study of sea ice, its internal processes, interaction with other components, and projection of future changes. This paper evaluates the simulation of sea ice by the Flexible Global Ocean-Atmosphere-Land System model Grid-point Version 2 (FGOALS-g2), in the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project (CMIP5), with a focus on historical experiments and late 20th century simulation. Through analysis, we find that FGOALS-g2 produces reasonable Arctic and Antarctic sea ice climatology and variability. Sea ice spatial distribution and seasonal change characteristics are well captured. The decrease of Arctic sea ice extent in the late 20th century is reproduced in simulations, although the decrease trend is lower compared with observations. Simulated Antarctic sea ice shows a reasonable distribution and seasonal cycle with high accordance to the amplitude of winter-summer changes. Large improvement is achieved as compared with FGOALS-g1.0 in CMIP3. Diagnosis of atmospheric and oceanic forcing on sea ice reveals several shortcomings and major aspects to improve upon in the future: (1) ocean model improvements to remove the artificial island at the North Pole; (2) higher resolution of the atmosphere model for better simulation of important features such as, among others, the Icelandic Low and westerly wind over the Southern Ocean; and (3) ocean model improvements to accurately receive freshwater input from land, and higher resolution for resolving major water channels in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.