Chinese Journal of Polar Research

ADVANCES IN POLAR SCIENCE ›› 2014, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (3): 342-351.DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2014.2.342

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SEA ICE DISTRIBUTION IN THE ROSS SEA, ANTARCTICA, DURING THE AUSTRAL SUMMER OF 2012

ZhaoJiechen1, Zhang Lin1, Tian Zhongxiang1, Li Ming1, Hui Fengming2, Li Chunhua1, Han Hongwei3   

  1.  
    1Key Laboratory of Research on Marine Hazards Forecasting, State Oceanic Administration, Beijing 100081, China;
    2College of Global Change and Earth System Science (GCESS), Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;
    3State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
  • Received:2013-05-15 Revised:2013-07-18 Online:2014-09-30 Published:2014-09-30
  • Contact: Jie-Chen ZHAO

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Abstract: We analyzed the distribution of sea ice in the Ross Sea during the austral summer of 2012. Parameters including sea ice concentration, thickness, and floe size were investigated using satellite data and ship-based observations. In late December sea ice extent was about 1 000 km from north to south, average sea ice concentration was greater than 50%, average sea ice thickness was about 100 cm, and average snow depth was about 16 cm. In areas of high ice concentration, ice cakes (2–20 m) and small floes (20–100 m) predominated, while in areas of low ice concentration medium floes (100–500 m) and big floes (500–200 m) predominated. Most of the waters were ice-free in January and February, but in March sea ice grew rapidly and by April the entire Ross Sea was covered with ice. Sea ice concentrations derived from AMSR2 and SSMIS were in accordance with the field observations in most locations, with deviations of 15% and 20%, respectively. Therefore, AMSR2 performed better. The results of this paper provide a good reference for future CHINARE Ross Sea cruises.

Key words: Antarctica, Ross Sea, austral Summer, sea ice, ship-based observations