A relationship between heat transfer to sea ice and temperature-salinity properties of Arctic Ocean waters

Abstract

It is demonstrated that the characteristic temperature-salinity relationship shown by thermocline waters of the Arctic Ocean can be reproduced using a simple model based on transfer of heat directly from these waters to sea ice. From this we deduce that there is direct sensible heat flux from waters of Atlantic origin to the ice cover, such interaction could play a major role in determining the physical properties of Arctic water masses.