Arctic sea ice decline contributes to thinning lake ice trend in northern Alaska
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Abstract
Field measurements, satellite observations, and models document a thinning trend in seasonal Arctic lake ice growth, causing a shift from bedfast to floating ice conditions. September sea ice concentrations in the Arctic Ocean since 1991 correlate well (r = +0.69,p < 0.001) to this lake regime shift. To understand how and to what extent sea ice affects lakes, we conducted model experiments to simulate winters with years of high (1991/92) and low (2007/08) sea ice extent for which we also had field measurements and satellite imagery characterizing lake ice conditions. A lake ice growth model forced with Weather Research and Forecasting model output produced a 7% decrease in lake ice growth when 2007/08 sea ice was imposed on 1991/92 climatology and a 9% increase in lake ice growth for the opposing experiment. Here, we clearly link early winter 'ocean-effect' snowfall and warming to reduced lake ice growth. Future reductions in sea ice extent will alter hydrological, biogeochemical, and habitat functioning of Arctic lakes and cause sub-lake permafrost thaw.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Arctic sea ice decline contributes to thinning lake ice trend in northern Alaska |
| Series title | Environmental Research Letters |
| DOI | 10.1088/1748-9326/11/7/074022 |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Year Published | 2016 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Institute of Physics |
| Publisher location | London |
| Contributing office(s) | Alaska Science Center Geography |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |