Mysterious chasm called "fishing" in Antarctic ice cream

Scientists explained the causes of giant formation water – natural cut in ice creams covering the Antarctic oceans. This phenomenon, recently observed in 2016 and 2017 in the Weddell Sea, raises concerns about its impact on the global climate system.

Fishing larger than the whole Tricity

Until recently, the existence of vast open sea areas in the middle of compact ice has caused a dismay of scientific communities. Modern technology – floating oceanographic buoys, satellites, or even seals with fixed measuring devices, provided grounds for identifying the causes and course of this rare but significant phenomenon.

According to a team of researchers from Washington University, key to the uprising water There are three factors: high salinity of surface water, presence of strong stormthe winter period and the condition of local seabed topography.

How to Form water?

At the center of the phenomenon is Maud Rise – a sub-marine mountain around which the water vortex forms. Riding currents stop warmer water masses and prevent them from mixing with the environment. Time stormThis is an intense mix of water layers – warm water from the deep rises to the surface, melting the ice cover and preventing it from freezing again.

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The described shred is an example of a thermal phenomenon in which the heat from the deep ocean rises to the surface. This process, assisted by local currents and winter storms, prevents re-freezing of water and keeps the sea's open area among ice.

It's not a one-time swim of water to the surface. It's a reversal of the entire water column, which can keep the boat open for weeks or even months.

Dr. Earle Wilson, co-author of the study

Ecosystem in the middle of the ice wilderness

The peninsula plays an important role in the Antarctic ecosystem. It is an open water that becomes for marine animals both a resting place and a feeding place. Seals, whales, and penguins use it to get air and get food while the entire continent is covered with ice.

At the same time, there is growing concern about the climate impact of this phenomenon. A breach can be a channel of release into the atmosphere of significant amounts of carbon dioxide stored in deep ocean layers. According to the main research author Ethan Campbell:

This reservoir has been closed for centuries. If released to the surface by violent mixing, significant climate change may occur.

The global consequences of a local phenomenon?

Come on. water is created locally, its effects can be of significance on a global scale. Changes in the Maud Rise region can disrupt thermohallic circulation – a key mechanism responsible for transferring heat in the oceans.

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Researchers point out that the current climate models are not yet able to fully take into account the effects of such phenomena. Hence, their call for improvement of simulation tools and constant observation with autonomous and satellite systems.

Is this the announcement of major changes?

The peninsula observed in 2016–2017 was the largest such phenomenon since systematic satellite observations began in the 1970s. At that time, the area reached as many as 80,000 square kilometers. The sudden appearance of this phenomenon and its rapid disappearance prove that the balance of the polar system is much more unstable than previously expected.

The emergence of such an extensive fishing vessel is a signal that should also be noticed by maritime safety professionals. Changes in the stability of the ice sheet can affect not only our climate in the future, but also Arctic and Antarctic shipping, the availability of maritime routes and the possibility of exploiting natural resources in the Arctic regions.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz