CLIMATE CHANGE OVER THE POLAR OCEAN. I: THE RADIATION BUDGET

Abstract

An analysis is presented of possible changes in the radiative terms of the Polar Ocean energy budget. Theoretical polar atmospheres are discussed with various changes in the radiation balance. It is concluded that the atmosphere is, at present, adjusted in the best possible way for the conservation of energy. Radiation budgets are presented, for various assumed conditions. The optimum surface conditions would occur with winter overcast and summer clear sky. The earth-atmosphere radiation budget is presented for an open Polar Ocean. Relatively minor variations in any term can result in a complete freeze-over or complete melting. The atmospheric advection required with an open Polar Ocean would decrease significantly from the present. It might even become, in winter, a heat export from the Polar Ocean.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1966
Accession Number
AD0632721

Entities

People

  • E. Vowinckel
  • Svenn Orvig

Organizations

  • McGill University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Arctic Ocean
  • Barents Sea
  • Cloud Cover
  • Clouds
  • Energy
  • Equations
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Flux
  • Latent Heat
  • Meteorology
  • Norwegian Sea
  • Radiation
  • Solar Radiation
  • Surface Properties
  • Surface Temperature
  • Temperature Gradients

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Polar and Arctic Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design