Progress of Chinese research in Arctic physical oceanography during 2007-2010

• Main Authors: Yong, Cao, Jinping, Zhao
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Polar Research Institute of China - PRIC 2011
• Subjects: Oceans; Arctic; Arctic Ocean; Advances in Polar Science; Climate change; International Polar Year; IPY; Polar Science; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://library.arcticportal.org/2439/; http://library.arcticportal.org/2439/1/A20110410.pdf

As a part of the National Report of China for the International Association for Physical Science of Ocean (IAPSO), the main research results of Chinese scientists in Arctic physical oceanography during 2007-2010 are reviewed in this paper. This period overlaps with the International Polar Year (IPY), which is a catalyst for nations to emphasize activities and research in the polar regions. The Arctic also experienced a rapid change in sea ice, ocean, and climate during this time. China launched two Arctic cruises with the R/V XUE LONG icebreaker, in 2008 and 2010, which provided more opportunities for Chinese scientists to investigate the Arctic Ocean and its change. During this period, Chinese scientists participated in more than ten other cruises with international collaborations. The main research covered in this paper includes the upper ocean characteristic, ocean and sea ice optics, kinematics of sea ice and the Arctic impact on global climate change. The progress in sea ice optics, the observation technologies and Arctic Oscillation are especially remarkable.