162
M.L. Van Woert
occur in conjunction with the rapid expansion of the Ross Sea polynya, which
is driven by strong winds blowing off the Ross Ice Shelf. Thus, régional as well
as local meteorological forcing both appear to be important in controlling
open water fraction at Terra Nova Bay.
4. Annual ice production estimâtes from the modeled polynya extent are comparable with climatological estimâtes (—50 km3). Ironically, these estimâtes are
nearly independent of the net heat flux, depending almost solely on the surface
wind speed.
5. To maintain a conversion of WMCO or LSSW to HSSW consistent with the
observed ice production rates, the transport of HSSW from Terra Nova Bay
must be approximately 1 Sv.
This study hints at possible interactions between the Terra Nova Bay and Ross
Sea polynyas. It is hoped that a better understanding of the physical interactions
between these two polynyas and their biological conséquences will be provided
by a recently undertaken international, multi-year field program in the southwestern Ross Sea called “Research on Océan Atmosphère Variability and
Ecosystem Response in the Ross Sea” (ROAVERRS).
Acknowledgenients. The SSM/I-derived sea ice data were provided by the EOS
Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) at the National Snow and Ice Data
Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado. The automatic weather station
data were provided by C. Stearn’s group at the University of Wisconsin. Robert
Headland and William Mills of the Scott Polar Research Institute provided access
to Priestly’s diaries as well as interesting anecdotal information on life in the snow
cave. Their assistance is greatly appreciated. I also thank Ed Andréas for clarifying some subtle points on exchange coefficients and especially Dave Bromwich
for many interesting conversations regarding the environs of Terra Nova Bay. This
work was supported by NASA Grant W-18821 and the Office of Naval Research
Grant N0001495WX30141.
References
1. Smith SD, Muench RD, Pease CH ( 1990) Polynyas and leads: an overview of physical processes and
environment. J Geophys Res 95:9461-9479
2. Schumacher JD, Aagaard K, Pease CH and Tripp RB (1983) Effects of a shelf polynya on flow and
water properties in the Northern Bering Sea. J Geophys Res 88:2723-2732
3. Martin S, and Cavalieri DJ (1989) Contributions of the Siberian shelf polynyas to the Arctic Océan
intermediate and deep water. J Geophys Res 94:12725-12738
4. Zwally HJ, Comiso JC, Gordon AL (1985) Antarctic offshore leads and polynyas and océanographie effects. Oceanology of the Antarctic Continental Shelf. Antarct Res Ser, vol 43, In: Jacobs
SS (ed.) 203-226, AGU, Washington, D.C.
5. Cavalieri DJ, and Martin S. (1985) A passive microwave study of polynyas along the Antarctic
Wilkes Land coast. Oceanology of the Antarctic Continental Shelf. Antarct Res Ser, vol 43, In:
Jacobs ss (ed.) 227-252, AGU, Washington, DC
6. Kurtz DD and Bromwich DH (1985) A recurring, atmospherically forced polynya in Terra Nova
Bay. Oceanology of the Antarctic Continental Shelf. Antarct Res Ser, vol 43, In: Jacobs ss (ed.)
177-201, AGU, Washington, DC
M.L. Van Woert
occur in conjunction with the rapid expansion of the Ross Sea polynya, which
is driven by strong winds blowing off the Ross Ice Shelf. Thus, régional as well
as local meteorological forcing both appear to be important in controlling
open water fraction at Terra Nova Bay.
4. Annual ice production estimâtes from the modeled polynya extent are comparable with climatological estimâtes (—50 km3). Ironically, these estimâtes are
nearly independent of the net heat flux, depending almost solely on the surface
wind speed.
5. To maintain a conversion of WMCO or LSSW to HSSW consistent with the
observed ice production rates, the transport of HSSW from Terra Nova Bay
must be approximately 1 Sv.
This study hints at possible interactions between the Terra Nova Bay and Ross
Sea polynyas. It is hoped that a better understanding of the physical interactions
between these two polynyas and their biological conséquences will be provided
by a recently undertaken international, multi-year field program in the southwestern Ross Sea called “Research on Océan Atmosphère Variability and
Ecosystem Response in the Ross Sea” (ROAVERRS).
Acknowledgenients. The SSM/I-derived sea ice data were provided by the EOS
Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) at the National Snow and Ice Data
Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado. The automatic weather station
data were provided by C. Stearn’s group at the University of Wisconsin. Robert
Headland and William Mills of the Scott Polar Research Institute provided access
to Priestly’s diaries as well as interesting anecdotal information on life in the snow
cave. Their assistance is greatly appreciated. I also thank Ed Andréas for clarifying some subtle points on exchange coefficients and especially Dave Bromwich
for many interesting conversations regarding the environs of Terra Nova Bay. This
work was supported by NASA Grant W-18821 and the Office of Naval Research
Grant N0001495WX30141.
References
1. Smith SD, Muench RD, Pease CH ( 1990) Polynyas and leads: an overview of physical processes and
environment. J Geophys Res 95:9461-9479
2. Schumacher JD, Aagaard K, Pease CH and Tripp RB (1983) Effects of a shelf polynya on flow and
water properties in the Northern Bering Sea. J Geophys Res 88:2723-2732
3. Martin S, and Cavalieri DJ (1989) Contributions of the Siberian shelf polynyas to the Arctic Océan
intermediate and deep water. J Geophys Res 94:12725-12738
4. Zwally HJ, Comiso JC, Gordon AL (1985) Antarctic offshore leads and polynyas and océanographie effects. Oceanology of the Antarctic Continental Shelf. Antarct Res Ser, vol 43, In: Jacobs
SS (ed.) 203-226, AGU, Washington, D.C.
5. Cavalieri DJ, and Martin S. (1985) A passive microwave study of polynyas along the Antarctic
Wilkes Land coast. Oceanology of the Antarctic Continental Shelf. Antarct Res Ser, vol 43, In:
Jacobs ss (ed.) 227-252, AGU, Washington, DC
6. Kurtz DD and Bromwich DH (1985) A recurring, atmospherically forced polynya in Terra Nova
Bay. Oceanology of the Antarctic Continental Shelf. Antarct Res Ser, vol 43, In: Jacobs ss (ed.)
177-201, AGU, Washington, DC