Multiscale Models of Melting Arctic Sea Ice

• Main Authors: Golden, Kenneth M, Perovich, Donald K
• Other Authors: UTAH UNIV SALT LAKE CITY DEPT OF MATHEMATICS
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Physical and Dynamic Oceanography; *MELTING; *SEA ICE; ARCTIC OCEAN; CLIMATE; EVOLUTION(GENERAL); MATHEMATICAL MODELS; PONDS; Arctic; Arctic Ocean; albedo; ice pack; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA601522; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA601522

Sea ice reflectance or albedo, a key parameter in climate modeling, is primarily determined by melt pond and ice floe configurations. Ice-albedo feedback has played a major role in the recent declines of the summer Arctic sea ice pack. However, understanding the evolution of melt ponds and sea ice albedo remains a significant challenge to improving climate models. Our research is focused on obtaining extensive imagery of melt pond evolution, and developing mathematical models of the melting process that can help us better understand the role of sea ice in the climate system, and represent sea ice more rigorously in climate models.