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<p>East Antarctic coastal polynyas—semi-permanent areas of ice-free ocean—are vital for sea ice production, Antarctic Bottom Water formation, and global heat redistribution. The Dibble Polynya has pronounced sea-ice production, yet the shelf water properties there and its offshore influence have been unclear. Here we show Dense Shelf Water outflow from the polynya that ventilates a lighter variety of local bottom water. Hydrographic records suggest Dense Shelf Water formation has persisted for 50 years, consistent with satellite-derived sea-ice production since the 1990s. Since the 2010s, the downstream cross-slope salinity gradient within bottom water has weakened and the Antarctic Slope Front has been modified, following a sharp decline in sea-ice production in the neighbouring Mertz Polynya after 2010 icescape changes. We infer that reduced denser Antarctic Bottom Water formation upstream weakens the slope current barrier, promoting outflow of not-so-dense shelf water from the Dibble Polynya that efficiently ventilates the abyssal basin.</p>

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Emerging outflow of not-so-dense shelf water from an East Antarctic polynya

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月12日

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  • Kaihe Yamazaki,
  • Annie Foppert,
  • Kathryn L. Gunn,
  • Haruhiko Kashiwase,
  • Stephen R. Rintoul,
  • Julia Neme,
  • Sophie Bestley,
  • Paul Spence,
  • Tatsuya Isoda,
  • Koji Matsuoka,
  • Esmee M. van Wijk,
  • Laura Herraiz-Borreguero

摘要

East Antarctic coastal polynyas—semi-permanent areas of ice-free ocean—are vital for sea ice production, Antarctic Bottom Water formation, and global heat redistribution. The Dibble Polynya has pronounced sea-ice production, yet the shelf water properties there and its offshore influence have been unclear. Here we show Dense Shelf Water outflow from the polynya that ventilates a lighter variety of local bottom water. Hydrographic records suggest Dense Shelf Water formation has persisted for 50 years, consistent with satellite-derived sea-ice production since the 1990s. Since the 2010s, the downstream cross-slope salinity gradient within bottom water has weakened and the Antarctic Slope Front has been modified, following a sharp decline in sea-ice production in the neighbouring Mertz Polynya after 2010 icescape changes. We infer that reduced denser Antarctic Bottom Water formation upstream weakens the slope current barrier, promoting outflow of not-so-dense shelf water from the Dibble Polynya that efficiently ventilates the abyssal basin.