SIPEX - exploring the Antarctic sea ice zone

Sea ice in the polar regions plays a key role in both regulating global climate and maintaining marine ecosystems. The international Sea Ice Physics and Ecosystem eXperiment (SIPEX) explored the sea ice zone around Antarctica in September and October 2007, investigating relationships between the phy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics Education
Main Authors: Zicus, SA, Dobson, J, Worby, AP
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd. 2008
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/0031-9120/43/6/013
http://ecite.utas.edu.au/71407
Description
Summary:Sea ice in the polar regions plays a key role in both regulating global climate and maintaining marine ecosystems. The international Sea Ice Physics and Ecosystem eXperiment (SIPEX) explored the sea ice zone around Antarctica in September and October 2007, investigating relationships between the physical sea ice environment and the structure of Southern Ocean ecosystems. One of the main goals of SIPEX was to conduct large-scale sea ice and snow thickness surveys for the validation of satellite-based measurements. SIPEX scientists used a variety of techniques including helicopter-based radar and laser altimetry, as well as a remotely operated underwater vehicle, to gather baseline data on Antarctic sea ice thickness and the under-ice environment. These data will be invaluable for monitoring possible future changes in the sea ice around Antarctica.