Evolution processes of Ross sea polyny aassociated with modified Circumpolar Deep Water intrusion

In the central Ross Sea continental shelf, the modified Circumpolar Deep Water could intrude the continental shelf between March and July, and reach about 76 °S. According to seal-CTD data, in March and April, the potential temperature of the modified Circumpolar Deep Water was up to - 0.55 °C, and was widely distributed within the depths of 100 - 300 m. In May and June, the potential temperature of the modified Circumpolar Deep Water was up to - 0.65 °C, and was found to the north of 76 °S above the depth of 350 m, but discontinuous above the depth of 200 m. In July, the modified Circumpolar Deep Water sharply cooled, with the maximum potential temperature being -1.45 °C.

By analysing the seal-CTD observations and the numerical model results, this study found strong mixing in the central part of the shelf, owing to topography-induced upwelling. The resulted mixed layer warming is also attributed to the intrusion of the modified Circumpolar Deep Water. This oceanic process, along with the katabatic wind forcing, contributed to forming unique sea ice distribution characteristics in the Ross Sea Polynya, featured by ‘’less ice, more ice, less ice” from the front of the Ross Ice Shelf to the upwelling zone. This kind of sea ice distribution characteristics can also promote the northward expansion of the Ross Sea Polynya.