Seals solve icy mystery

• Main Author: Williams, GD
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Mercury Online 2013
• Subjects: Earth Sciences; Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience; Glaciology; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://ecite.utas.edu.au/88700

SEALS wearing electronic hats on their foreheads have helped scientists to locate a missing Antarctic ice factory.Ice factories are expanses of extra-chilly shallow water close to the Antarctic continent, where most of the Southern Ocean's sea ice is produced.When seawater freezes, it leaves its salt behind. The dense salty water immediately slides down underneath the continental shelf, like an underwater river on its way to the deep ocean floor. Surface water rushes in to take its place.Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Co-operative Research Centre sea ice specialist Guy Williams said the downward movement of salty water acted as a pump, that powered the ocean conveyor belt currents, which influenced the world's climate.Dr Williams said scientists were aware of three significant Antarctic ice factories and had long suspected a fourth.