Author(s): Rudiger Gerdes; Cornelia Koberle
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Abstract: Parameterizations of sea ice processes in ocean-sea ice models were developed and tuned for sea ice conditions of the recent past. They do not reflect recent changes in sea ice characteristics. The demise of multiyear sea ice in the Arctic implies that surface drag coefficients and the ocean sea ice drag will be considerably different from previous conditions. Here, we will report on the consequences of sea ice thickness distribution changes on the atmosphere-sea ice-ocean momentum transfer, on sea ice drift and oceanic circulation. Furthermore, the snow thickness distribution changes with the ice thickness distribution with serious consequences for sea ice thermodynamics.
Year: 2014