Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3490
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3490
26 Nov 2024
 | 26 Nov 2024
Status: this preprint is open for discussion.

Defining Antarctic polynyas in satellite observations and climate model output to support ecological climate change research

Laura L. Landrum, Alice K. DuVivier, Marika M. Holland, Kristen Krumhardt, and Zephyr Sylvester

Abstract. Antarctic polynyas are key components of Antarctic marine ecosystems, influencing light and nutrient availability and open water access for marine predators. Thus, changes in the physical characteristics of polynyas can influence how these ecosystems respond to a changing climate. Here, we explore how to identify polynyas using satellite and Earth System Model data, and we assess the impacts of using different polynya-identification metrics (sea ice concentration or thickness). Our results show optimal metrics for polynya definition will depend on the temporal and spatial resolution of the data, as well as the season and region of interest. These results highlight the importance of identifying polynyas on grids of the same type and resolution when comparing polynyas from different data products. We find that sea ice thickness is more suitable for identifying polynyas in model data in winter months in contrast to spring months when both sea ice thickness and concentration may be suitable metrics. We then use the Community Earth System Model Version 2 (CESM2) to investigate ecosystem function within polynyas and find that there is enhanced phytoplankton productivity in modeled polynya features in both hindcast and fully coupled simulations, with springtime polynyas remaining an important control on Antarctic productivity under future climate change.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Laura L. Landrum, Alice K. DuVivier, Marika M. Holland, Kristen Krumhardt, and Zephyr Sylvester

Status: open (until 19 Jan 2025)

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Laura L. Landrum, Alice K. DuVivier, Marika M. Holland, Kristen Krumhardt, and Zephyr Sylvester
Laura L. Landrum, Alice K. DuVivier, Marika M. Holland, Kristen Krumhardt, and Zephyr Sylvester

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Short summary
Antarctic polynyas – areas of open water surrounded by sea ice or sea ice and land – are key players in Antarctic marine ecosystems. Changes in the physical characteristics of polynyas will influence how these ecosystems respond to a changing climate. This work explores how to best compare polynyas identified in satellite data and climate model data to verify that the model captures important features of Antarctic sea ice and marine ecosystems, and we show how polynyas may change.