Role of radiative forcing on the sea ice melt-growth cycle in a changing Arctic marine environment - Northern Research Supplement

不断变化的北极海洋环境中辐射强迫对海冰融化生长循环的作用 - 北方研究增刊

• 批准号: 444872-2013
• 负责人: Ehn, Jens
• 金额: $ 1.27万
• 依托单位: University of Manitoba
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Northern Research Supplement
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=574992
• 关键词: Role; radiative; forcing; sea; ice

The Arctic sea ice cover is in rapid decline due to global warming with yet another new record low reached in 2012. The diminishing ice cover is having a discernible impact on the polar marine environment. However, the extent of this impact on future changes to climate, carbon cycling and ecosystems remains uncertain. At the root is how surface radiative forcing affects changes in sea ice properties, and how these changes in turn modulate the forcing. Such interactions form the base of complex climate feedbacks operating in the Arctic. Considering the vastness of the area of sea ice (~10 million km2 or roughly the size of Canada) that forms and then melts each year, the importance of a comprehensive understanding of the processes driving this cycle cannot be overstated. In this Northern Research Supplement proposal, I seek the additional funds required to support both field camp and ship-based sea ice research in the Canadian Arctic. The objective of the proposed research is to investigate how the melting of the sea ice is partitioned between surface, interior and bottom, and how much heat is retained in the upper ocean layers where it can delay fall freeze-up and slow ice growth. Our ability to predict future climate change and variability rests on understanding these processes. The focus is on radiative forcing and associated feedbacks as these interactions exert a dominant control on the surface energy balance in the Arctic. I will also utilize information from how radiation interacts with sea ice and seawater constituents to develop non-invasive optical methods to infer physical, biological and chemical properties in real-time at high spatial and temporal resolutions. The proposed research will advance our knowledge of sea ice processes and climate feedbacks, develop new optical techniques that addresses logistical challenges in data collection, train new students in Arctic environmental research and ultimately, benefit northerners by improving climate predictions that will help communities and various levels of government adapt to climate change.

由于全球变暖，北极海冰覆盖面积正在迅速减少，2012年再创新低。冰盖的减少正在对极地海洋环境产生明显的影响。然而，这种影响对未来气候变化、碳循环和生态系统的影响程度仍不确定。问题的根本在于地表辐射强迫如何影响海冰性质的变化，以及这些变化反过来又如何调节辐射强迫。这种相互作用构成了在北极运行的复杂气候反馈的基础。考虑到每年形成和融化的海冰面积的巨大（约1000万平方公里或大致相当于加拿大的面积），全面了解驱动这一循环的过程的重要性怎么强调都不为过。