Sea-ice-loss slowdown modulates the sea surface salinification in the Kara–Laptev Seas since the 2008 summer
Recent studies have revealed the slowed Arctic sea-ice loss, but its climate effect on the ocean system remains unclear. By examining reanalysis datasets, we illustrate a paradoxical regime shift characterized by sustained ice loss and surface salinification in the Kara–Laptev Seas (KLS) during bore...
| Published in: | Environmental Research Letters |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
IOP Publishing
2024
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad5fa7 https://doaj.org/article/26215d0be479486ca92fe9f7d62494dd |
| Summary: | Recent studies have revealed the slowed Arctic sea-ice loss, but its climate effect on the ocean system remains unclear. By examining reanalysis datasets, we illustrate a paradoxical regime shift characterized by sustained ice loss and surface salinification in the Kara–Laptev Seas (KLS) during boreal summer since 2008. A notable phase transition from surface freshening during one period (1997–2008) with rapid sea-ice melting to salinification during another period (2009–2020) with gentle sea-ice melting has been identified in the KLS. Using a mixed-layer salinity budget, we characterized quantitatively the role of ice melting in driving salinification across different seas. We show that the salinification observed post-2008 mainly arises from the weakened summer sea-ice-ocean freshwater input, particularly the localized reduction in ice volume during June–August. This recent salinification in the KLS likely maintains a relatively stable state in the thinner seasonal sea-ice prevailing in the new Arctic. |
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