A New Method for Modeling Effects of Surface Ice on Waves

• Published in: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
• Main Author: Mark Orzech
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2023
• Subjects: ocean surface waves; sea ice; marginal ice zone; wave attenuation; wave modeling; Naval architecture. Shipbuilding. Marine engineering; VM1-989; Oceanography; GC1-1581; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11102017; https://doaj.org/article/a62f41185241480fb94cbe25353f6cef

Accurate prediction of ocean surface wave attenuation in polar marginal ice zones remains a challenge. In this article, an alternative approach to the problem is introduced, in which the ice layer is represented with a modified version of the vegetation damping parameterization in a phase-resolved wave model. The new representation is evaluated by comparison to theory and measured data under varied wave and ice conditions. Model-estimated profiles of RMS water velocity and Reynolds stress under ice layers with different drag coefficients are found to be qualitatively comparable to a range of nondimensional profiles computed using viscous layer theory. Modeled profiles appear somewhat vertically “stretched” relative to theoretical results, and in this respect, they more closely resemble measurements obtained during a recent wave–ice laboratory experiment. Estimated values of the wave attenuation coefficient and wavenumber in ice from the adapted model align well with theory and with a range of lab and field datasets. Several additional model ice parameters are available to facilitate a more nuanced representation of surface ice effects and will be investigated further in an upcoming companion study.