12.951: Seminar in Physical Oceanography: Polar physical oceanography

Fall 2024
Instructor: Sylvia Cole and Michael Spall

Overview

Introduction to the physical oceanography of polar regions. The focus will be on oceanography topics unique to high latitudes or ice-covered oceans, from both a theoretical and observational perspective. Mean fields, recent changes, and projected future changes of the polar oceans will be discussed. Students will read and present selected classic and current papers. The setting is very informal and group discussion is expected throughout.

The course is graded as Pass/Fail based on class preparation and participation.

Goals

The primary goal of this course is to utilize observational, theoretical, and modeling papers to provide a broad overview of high latitude ocean and sea ice dynamics and thermodynamics. The `discussion format' of the class is meant to encourage students to consider the many different aspects of the work in question including motivation, approach utilized, and implications for the broader context. The course is also intended to help students develop basic analytical and critical skills in paper reading and, therefore, writing. Finally, students will benefit from the practice in synthesizing information and making oral presentations.

Lectures

9/10/24: General introduction to the course, expectations for preparation and participation

9/17/24: Sea ice I: Overview,

Lead: Sylvia

Presenter: Marta

Assigned reading:

Stammerjohn S, R Massom, D Rind, and D Martinson (2012), Regions of rapid sea ice change: An inter-hemispheric seasonal comparison, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L06501. doi: 10.1029/2012GL050874.

Additional resources:

Perovich DK, and JA Richter-Menge (2009), Loss of sea ice in the Arctic, Annu. Rev. Mar. Sci., 1, 417-441. doi: 10.1146/annurev.marine.010908.163805. ·
https://seaice.uni-bremen.de

9/24/24: Mixed layer I: Thermodynamics,

Lead: Sylvia

Presenter: Lilli

Assigned reading:

Jackson JM, EC Carmack, FA McLaughlin, SE Allen, and RG Ingram (2010), Identification, characterization, and change of the near-surface temperature maximum in the Canada Basin, 1993-2008, J. Geophys. Res., 115, C05021. doi: 10.1029/2009JC005265.

Additional resources:

Maykut GA, and MG McPhee (1995), Solar heading of the Arctic mixed layer, J. Geophys. Res., 100, 24691-24703.

10/1/24: Mixed layer II: Dynamics,

Lead: Sylvia

Presenter: Marta

Assigned reading:

Martin T, M Steele, and J Zhang (2014), Seasonality and long-term trend of Arctic Ocean surface stress in a model, J. Geophys. Res., 119, 1723-1738, doi: 10.1002/2013JC009425.

Additional resources:

McPhee MG (1980), An analysis of pack ice drift in summer. In: Pritchard, R (ed.), Sea ice processes and models, 62-75. University of Washington Press, Seattle.
McPhee MG (2012), Advances in understanding ice-ocean stress during and since AIDJEX, Cold Regions Sci. and Tech., 76-77, 24-36.
Martinson and Wamser (1990), Ice drift and momentum exchange in winter Antarctic pack ice, J. Geophys. Res. _.

10/8/24: Circulation I: Mean flow,

Lead: Mike

Presenter: Hiroki

Assigned reading:

Nost, O. A., P. E. Isachsen, 2003: The large-scale time-mean ocean circulation in the Nordic Seas and Arctic Ocean estimated from simple dynamics. J. Mar. Res., 61, 175-210.

10/22/24: Circulation II: Eddies and the mean flow,

Lead: Mike

Presenter: Lilli

Assigned reading:

Manucharyan, G. E., M. A. Spall, A. F. Thompson, 2016: A theory of the wind-driven Beaufort Gyre variability. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 46, 3263-3278.

Meneghello, G., E. Doddridge, J. Marshall, J. Scott, J.-M. Campin, 2020: Exploring the role of the ``Ice-Ocean Governor'' and mesoscale eddies in the equilibration of the Beaufort Gyre: Lessons from observations. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 50, 269-277.

10/29/24: Circulation III: Estuary model,

Lead: Mike

Presenter: Lilli

Assigned reading:

Haine, T. W. N., 2021: A conceptual model of polar overturning circulations. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 51, 727-744. DOI: 10.1175/JPO-D-20-0139.1

Additional resources:

Rudels, B., 2009: Constraints on exchanges in the Arctic Mediterranean—do they exist and can they be of use? Tellus, 62A, 109–122. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0870.2009.00425.x

11/5/24: Interior Mixing I: Internal waves,

Lead: Sylvia

Presenter: Marta

Assigned reading:

D’Asaro EA, and JH Morison (1992), Internal waves and mixing in the Arctic Ocean, Deep-Sea Res., 39, S459-S484.

Additional resources:

Guthrie JD, JH Morison, and I Fer (2013), Revisiting internal waves and mixing in the Arctic Ocean, J. Geophys. Res., 118, 3966-3977, doi: 10.1002/jgrc.20294.
Fine EC, and ST Cole (2022), Decadal observations of internal wave energy, shear, and mixing in the Western Arctic Ocean, J. Geophys. Res., 127, e2021JC018056.

11/12/24: Eddies:,

Lead: Mike

Presenter: Hiroki

Assigned reading:

Meneghello, G., J. Marshall, C. Lique, P. E. Isachsen, E. Doddridge, J.-M. Campin, H. Regan, C. Talandier, 2021. Genesis and decay of mesoscale baroclinic eddies in the seasonally ice-covered interior Arctic Ocean. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 51, 115-129. DOI: 10.1175/JPO-D-20-0054.1
Zhao, M. and M.-L. Timmermans, 2015: Vertical scales and dynamics of eddies in the Arctic Ocean's Canada Basin. J. Geophys. Res., 120, 8195-8209. doi:10.1002/2015JC011251.

11/19/24: Sea ice II: Multiple Equilibria,

Lead: Mike

Presenter: Lilli

Assigned reading:

Eisenman, I., and J. S. Wettlaufer, 2009: Nonlinear threshold behavior during the loss of Arctic sea ice. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 106, 28-32. doi:10.1073/pnas.0806887106
Beer, E., T. J. Wagner, E. C. Fine, 2023: A possible hysteresis in the Arctic Ocean due to release of subsurface heat during ice retreat. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 53, 1323-1335. DOI: 10.1175/JPO-D-22-0131.

11/26/24: Interior Mixing II: Mixing and heat fluxes,

Lead: Sylvia

Presenter: Marta

Assigned reading:

Fine EC, JA MacKinnon, MH Alford, JB Mickett (2018), Microstructure observations of turbulent heat fluxes in a warm-core Canada Basin Eddy, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 48, 2397-2418.

Additional resources:

Rainville L, and P Windsor (2008), Mixing across the Arctic Ocean: Microstructure observations during the Beringia 2005 expedition, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L08606, doi: 10.1029/2008GL033532.

12/3/24: Climate modeling II: Climate Projections,

Lead: Mike

Presenter: Hiroki

Assigned reading:

Khosravi, N, Q. Wang, N. Koldunov, C. Hinrichs, T. Semmler, S. Danilov, T. Jung (2022): The Arctic Ocean in CMIP6 Models: Biases and Projected Changes in Temperature and Salinity. Earth's Future, 10, e2021EF002282.
Kim, Y.-H., S.-K. Min, N. Gillett, D. Notz, E. Malinina, 2023: Observationally-constrained projections of an ice-free Arctic even under a low emission scenario. Nature Comm., 14, 3139. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38511-8
Kim et al (2023) Supplemental Information

12/10/24: Climate modeling I: Storms,

Lead: Sylvia

Presenter: Hiroki

Assigned reading:

Blanchard-Wrigglesworth E, S Brenner, M Webster, C Horvat, Ø Foss, and CM Bitz (2024), Model Biases in simulating extreme sea ice loss associated with the record January 2022 Arctic Cyclone, J. Geophs. Res., e2024JC021127.

Additional resources:

Blanchard-Wrigglesworth E, M Webster, L Boisvert, C Parker, and C Horvat (2022), Record Arctic cyclone of January 2022: Characteristics, Impacts, and predictability, J. Geophys. Res. Atmospheres, 127, e2022JD037161.