The Effects of Mixed Layer Dynamics on Ice Growth in the Central Arctic

Abstract

The thermodynamic model of Thorndike (1992) is coupled to a one dimensional, two layer ocean entrainment model to study the effect of mixed layer dynamics on ice growth and the variation in the ocean heat flux into the ice due to mixed layer entrainment. Model simulations show (1) the existence of a negative feedback between the ice growth and the mixed layer entrainment; (2) the underlying ocean salinity has a greater effect on the ocean beat flux than does variations in the underlying ocean temperature. Model simulations for a variety of surface forcings and initial conditions demonstrate the need to include mixed layer dynamics for realistic ice prediction in the arctic.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA257553

Entities

People

  • Bruce R. Kitchen

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Temperature
  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Layer
  • Energy
  • Energy Transfer
  • Equations
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Of Fusion
  • Latent Heat
  • Ocean Currents
  • Oceanography
  • Oceans
  • Sea Water
  • Surface Temperature
  • Temperature Gradients
  • Thermodynamic Processes
  • Thermodynamics

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Flux Boundary Layers
  • Polar and Arctic Studies