Arctic sea ice decline contributes to thinning lake ice trend in northern Alaska. (18th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alexeev, Vladimir A; Arp, Christopher D; Jones, Benjamin M; Cai, Lei
• Is Part Of: Environmental research letters. Volume 11:Number 7(2016:Jul.)
• Publication Date: 2016-07-18
• Subjects: Arctic -- sea ice decline -- winter climate -- freshwater ice -- thermokarst lakes; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Human ecology -- Research -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 333.7
• DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/11/7/074022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-9326

Abstract

Abstract: Field measurements, satellite observations, and models document a thinning trend in seasonal Arctic lake ice growth, causing a shift from bedfast to floating ice conditions. September sea ice concentrations in the Arctic Ocean since 1991 correlate well ( r = +0.69, p < 0.001) to this lake regime shift. To understand how and to what extent sea ice affects lakes, we conducted model experiments to simulate winters with years of high (1991/92) and low (2007/08) sea ice extent for which we also had field measurements and satellite imagery characterizing lake ice conditions. A lake ice growth model forced with Weather Research and Forecasting model output produced a 7% decrease in lake ice growth when 2007/08 sea ice was imposed on 1991/92 climatology and a 9% increase in lake ice growth for the opposing experiment. Here, we clearly link early winter 'ocean-effect' snowfall and warming to reduced lake ice growth. Future reductions in sea ice extent will alter hydrological, biogeochemical, and habitat functioning of Arctic lakes and cause sub-lake permafrost thaw.