Lagrangian analysis of sea-ice dynamics in the Arctic Ocean

In this study, we present Lagrangian diagnostics to quantify changes in the dynamical characteristics of the Arctic sea-ice cover from 2006 to 2014. Examined in particular is the evolution in finite-time Lyapunov exponents (FTLEs), which monitor the rate at which neighbouring particle trajectories d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar Research
Main Authors: Sándor Szanyi, Jennifer V. Lukovich, David G. Barber
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Norwegian Polar Institute 2016
Subjects:
sea-ice dynamics
FTLE
Arctic Ocean
Lagrangian diagnostics
LAD
Environmental sciences
GE1-350
Oceanography
GC1-1581
Arctic
Beaufort Sea
Polar Research
Sea ice
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.30778
https://doaj.org/article/7a817140550b4a9b8f3ca4205e0bebb4
Description
Summary:In this study, we present Lagrangian diagnostics to quantify changes in the dynamical characteristics of the Arctic sea-ice cover from 2006 to 2014. Examined in particular is the evolution in finite-time Lyapunov exponents (FTLEs), which monitor the rate at which neighbouring particle trajectories diverge, and stretching rates throughout the Arctic. In this analysis, we compute FTLEs for the Arctic ice-drift field using the 62.5 km daily sea-ice motion vector data from the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites Ocean and Sea Ice Satellite Application Facility. Results from the FTLE analysis highlight the existence of three distinct dynamical regions with strong stretching, captured by FTLE maxima or ridges. It is further shown that FTLE ridges are dominated by shear, with contributions from divergence in the Beaufort Sea. Localization of FTLE features following the 2012 record minimum in summertime sea-ice extent illustrates the emergence of an Arctic characterized by increased mixing. Results also demonstrate higher FTLEs in years when lower multi-year ice extent is observed.

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