Ekman-driven salt transport as a key mechanism for open-ocean polynya formation at Maud Rise

Narayanan, Aditya; Roquet, Fabien; Gille, Sarah T.; Gülk, Birte; Mazloff, Matthew R.; Silvano, Alessandro; Naveira Garabato, Alberto C.

doi:10.1126/sciadv.adj0777

Title: Ekman-driven salt transport as a key mechanism for open-ocean polynya formation at Maud Rise

Journal Article · 01 May 2024 · Science Advances

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adj0777 · OSTI ID:2426370

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^[2]; Mazloff, Matthew R. ^[3]; Silvano, Alessandro ^[4]; Naveira Garabato, Alberto C. ^[4]

University of Gothenburg (Sweden); University of Southampton (United Kingdom); Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
University of Gothenburg (Sweden)
University of California, San Diego, CA (United States)
University of Southampton (United Kingdom)

Open-ocean polynyas formed over the Maud Rise, in the Weddell Sea, during the winters of 2016–2017. Such polynyas are rare events in the Southern Ocean and are associated with deep convection, affecting regional carbon and heat budgets. Using an ocean state estimate, we found that during 2017, early sea ice melting occurred in response to enhanced vertical mixing of heat, which was accompanied by mixing of salt. The melting sea ice compensated for the vertically mixed salt, resulting in a net buoyancy gain. An additional salt input was then necessary to destabilize the upper ocean. This came from a hitherto unexplored polynya-formation mechanism: an Ekman transport of salt across a jet girdling the northern flank of the Maud Rise. Such transport was driven by intensified eastward surface stresses during 2015–2018. Our results illustrate how highly localized interactions between wind, ocean flow and topography can trigger polynya formation in the open Southern Ocean.

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Research Organization:: University of California, San Diego, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); National Science Foundation (NSF); European Research Council (ERC); Natural Environment Research Council

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0020073

OSTI ID:: 2426370

Journal Information:: Science Advances, Journal Name: Science Advances Journal Issue: 18 Vol. 10; ISSN 2375-2548

Publisher:: AAASCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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Title: Ekman-driven salt transport as a key mechanism for open-ocean polynya formation at Maud Rise

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