Friday January 25 CSL Meeting

Sea Ice Survivability in a Modern Changing Hydrologic Cycle

Presenter: Victoria Ford
Time: Friday 25 January, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: 805 O&M

Abstract: This dissertation aims to assess the influence of several aspects of the hydrologic cycle upon modern sea ice decline. Short-term simulations of wintertime, freeze-up, and melt sea ice thickness conditions will assess how modified sea ice thickness levels influence the thermodynamic response in the lower surface boundary layer. Establishing an ocean-derived local precipitation recycling ratio not only will be unique for the Arctic region, but also illuminate how increasing areas of open water contribute to lower level atmospheric moisture availability. Lastly, quantifying the contributions of internal and anthropogenic forcing and their spatial signatures using available liquid freshwater content and Arctic sea ice can provide an in-depth analysis of the intricacies surrounding changes within the high-latitude hydrologic cycle.

An idealized diagram of interactions between freshwater hydrology and Arctic sea ice, with question marks representing the key information gaps addressed by this dissertation.