The Beaufort Gyre Extent, Shape, and Location Between 2003 and 2014 From Satellite Observations

Regan, Heather; Lique, Camille; Armitage, Thomas

doi:10.1029/2018jc014379

Cited by 62 publications

(120 citation statements)

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“…The size and shape of the Beaufort Gyre depends on the strength and location of the SLP maximum (Beaufort High). Analysis of the observed spatial extent and shape of the Beaufort Gyre (Regan et al, ) showed a north‐westward shift of the Beaufort Gyre center and hence an expansion of the Beaufort Gyre between 2003 and 2014. Regan et al () noted that SLP maxima to the west of the gyre (as in Figure b here) lead to an enlargement of the western extent of the Beaufort Gyre, into the waiting room region identified here.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Analysis of the observed spatial extent and shape of the Beaufort Gyre (Regan et al, ) showed a north‐westward shift of the Beaufort Gyre center and hence an expansion of the Beaufort Gyre between 2003 and 2014. Regan et al () noted that SLP maxima to the west of the gyre (as in Figure b here) lead to an enlargement of the western extent of the Beaufort Gyre, into the waiting room region identified here. We suggest that the advective pathways identified in Figure are a consequence of Pacific Water becoming entrained in the Beaufort Gyre in this waiting room region outside of the gyre's usual extent due to a wind‐forced expansion of the Beaufort Gyre.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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On the Origin of Water Masses in the Beaufort Gyre

et al. 2019

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The Beaufort Gyre is a key feature of the Arctic Ocean, acting as a reservoir for freshwater in the region. Depending on whether the prevailing atmospheric circulation in the Arctic is anticyclonic or cyclonic, either a net accumulation or release of freshwater occurs. The sources of freshwater to the Arctic Ocean are well established and include contributions from the North American and Eurasian Rivers, the Bering Strait Pacific water inflow, sea ice meltwater, and precipitation, but their contribution to the Beaufort Gyre freshwater accumulation varies with changes in the atmospheric circulation. Here we use a Lagrangian backward tracking technique in conjunction with the 1/12‐degree resolution Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean model to investigate how sources of freshwater to the Beaufort Gyre have changed in recent decades, focusing on increase in the Pacific water content in the gyre between the late 1980s and early 2000s. Using empirical orthogonal functions we analyze the change in the Arctic oceanic circulation that occurred between the 1980s and 2000s. We highlight a “waiting room” advective pathway that was present in the 1980s and provide evidence that this pathway was caused by a shift in the center of Ekman transport convergence in the Arctic. We discuss the role of these changes as a contributing factor to changes in the stratification, and hence potentially the biology, of the Beaufort Gyre region.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Origin of Water Masses in the Beaufort Gyre

et al. 2019

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“…External driving factors accounted for in the present analysis include geostrophic wind stress, sea ice concentration and drift, oceanic geostrophic velocities, and derived Ekman vertical velocities, all calculated using established methods. Specifically, Ekman vertical velocities are determined following the methods of Meneghello et al (, ) and are identical to the approach published by Regan et al () in this special issue. The geostrophic wind was calculated from National Center for Atmospheric Research/National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCAR/NCEP) (reanalysis 1; Kalnay et al, ) 6‐hourly sea level pressure (SLP) fields.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the Beaufort Gyre Freshwater Content in 2003–2018

et al. 2019

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Hydrographic data collected from research cruises, bottom-anchored moorings, driftingIce-Tethered Profilers, and satellite altimetry in the Beaufort Gyre region of the Arctic Ocean document an increase of more than 6,400 km 3 of liquid freshwater content from 2003 to 2018: a 40% growth relative to the climatology of the 1970s. This fresh water accumulation is shown to result from persistent anticyclonic atmospheric wind forcing accompanied by sea ice melt, a wind-forced redirection of Mackenzie River discharge from predominantly eastward to westward flow, and a contribution of low salinity waters of Pacific Ocean origin via Bering Strait. Despite significant uncertainties in the different observations, this study has demonstrated the synergistic value of having multiple diverse datasets to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of Beaufort Gyre freshwater content variability. For example, Beaufort Gyre Observational System (BGOS) surveys clearly show the interannual increase in freshwater content, but without satellite or Ice-Tethered Profiler measurements, it is not possible to resolve the seasonal cycle of freshwater content, which in fact is larger than the year-to-year variability, or the more subtle interannual variations. Plain Language AbstractThe Beaufort Gyre centered in the Canada Basin of the Arctic Ocean is the major reservoir of fresh water in the Arctic. The primary focus of this study is on quantifying variability and trends in liquid (water) and solid (sea ice) freshwater content in this region. The Beaufort Gyre Exploration Program was initiated in 2003 to synthesize results of historical data analysis, design and conduct long-term observations, and to provide information for numerical modeling under the umbrella of the FAMOS (Forum for Arctic Observing and Modeling Synthesis) project. The data collected from research cruises, moorings, Ice-Tethered Profiler observations, and satellite altimetry document an increase of more than 6,400 km 3 of liquid freshwater content from 2003 to 2018, a 40% growth relative to the climatology of the 1970s. This fresh water volume is comparable to the fresh water volume released to the sub-arctic seas during the Great Salinity Anomaly episode of the 1970s. Thus, since the 2000s, the stage has been set for another possible release of fresh water to lower latitudes with accompanying climate impacts, including changes to sea ice conditions, ocean circulation, and ecosystems of the Sub-Arctic similar to the influence of the Great Salinity Anomaly observed in the 1970s.

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“…Overall, the regional freshwater content increased by ~40% (i.e., 6,400 km 3 ) from 2003 to 2018, at a rate of approximately 4,420 ±1,300 km 3 per decade. These overall, seasonal, interannual, and longer term fluctuations depend on the complicated interplay of wind, ice, and ocean dynamics and thermodynamics regulating Beaufort Gyre spin‐up, dissipation, and stabilization (see for details Kelly, Proshutinsky, Popova et al, ; Liang & Losch, ; Manucharyan & Isachsen, ; Mensa et al, ; Regan et al, ; and Zhao et al, , etc., in this special collection).…”

Section: Interannual Changes Of Freshwater Contentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduction to Special Collection on Arctic Ocean Modeling and Observational Synthesis (FAMOS) 2: Beaufort Gyre Phenomenon

2020

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One of the foci of the Forum for Artic Modeling and Observational Synthesis (FAMOS) project is improving Arctic regional ice‐ocean models and understanding of physical processes regulating variability of Arctic environmental conditions based on synthesis of observations and model results. The Beaufort Gyre, centered in the Canada Basin of the Arctic Ocean, is an ideal phenomenon and natural laboratory for application of FAMOS modeling capabilities to resolve numerous scientific questions related to the origin and variability of this climatologic freshwater reservoir and flywheel of the Arctic Ocean. The unprecedented volume of data collected in this region is nearly optimal to describe the state and changes in the Beaufort Gyre environmental system at synoptic, seasonal, and interannual time scales. The in situ and remote sensing data characterizing ocean hydrography, sea surface heights, ice drift, concentration and thickness, ocean circulation, and biogeochemistry have been used for model calibration and validation or assimilated for historic reconstructions and establishing initial conditions for numerical predictions. This special collection of studies contributes time series of the Beaufort Gyre data; new methodologies in observing, modeling, and analysis; interpretation of measurements and model output; and discussions and findings that shed light on the mechanisms regulating Beaufort Gyre dynamics as it transitions to a new state under different climate forcing.

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The Beaufort Gyre Extent, Shape, and Location Between 2003 and 2014 From Satellite Observations

Cited by 62 publications

References 64 publications

On the Origin of Water Masses in the Beaufort Gyre

On the Origin of Water Masses in the Beaufort Gyre

Analysis of the Beaufort Gyre Freshwater Content in 2003–2018

Introduction to Special Collection on Arctic Ocean Modeling and Observational Synthesis (FAMOS) 2: Beaufort Gyre Phenomenon

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