Prediction of ice‐free conditions for a perennially ice‐covered Antarctic lake

Journal of Geophysical Research F: Earth Surface
By: , and 

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Abstract

Although perennially ice‐covered Antarctic lakes have experienced variable ice thicknesses over the past several decades, future ice thickness trends and associated aquatic biological responses under projected global warming remain unknown. Heat stored in the water column in chemically stratified Antarctic lakes that have middepth temperature maxima can significantly influence the ice thickness trends via upward heat flux to the ice/water interface. We modeled the ice thickness of the west lobe of Lake Bonney, Antarctica, based on possible future climate scenarios utilizing a 1D thermodynamic model that accounts for surface radiative fluxes as well as the heat flux associated with the temperature evolution of the water column. Model results predict that the ice cover of Lake Bonney will shift from perennial to seasonal within one to four decades, a change that will drastically influence ecosystem processes within the lake.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Prediction of ice‐free conditions for a perennially ice‐covered Antarctic lake
Series title Journal of Geophysical Research F: Earth Surface
DOI 10.1029/2018JF004756
Volume 124
Issue 2
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Contributing office(s) Volcano Science Center
Description 9 p.
First page 686
Last page 694
Other Geospatial Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
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