A Model-Based Investigation of the Recent Rebound of Shelf Water Salinity in the Ross Sea

Abstract

Intense atmosphere-ocean-ice interactions in the Ross Sea play a vital role in global overturning circulation by supplying saline and dense shelf waters. Since the 1960s, freshening of the Ross Sea shelf water has led to a decline in Antarctic Bottom Water formation. However, during 2012–2018, salinity of the western Ross Sea has rebounded. This study adopts a global ocean-sea ice model to investigate the causes of this salinity rebound. Model-based surface salinity budget analysis indicates that the salinity rebound was driven by increased brine rejection from sea ice formation, triggered by nearly equal effects of local anomalous winds and surface heat flux. The local divergent wind anomalies promoted local sea ice formation by creating a thin ice area, while cooling heat flux anomaly decreased the surface temperature, increasing sea ice production as well. This highlights the importance of understanding local climate variability in projecting future dense shelf water change.