The suppression of Antarctic bottom water formation by melting ice shelves in Prydz Bay

G. D. Williams (), L. Herraiz-Borreguero, F. Roquet, T. Tamura, K. I. Ohshima, Y. Fukamachi, A. D. Fraser, L. Gao, H. Chen, C. R. McMahon, R. Harcourt and M. Hindell
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G. D. Williams: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania
L. Herraiz-Borreguero: Centre for Ice and Climate, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen
F. Roquet: Stockholm University
T. Tamura: Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre, University of Tasmania
K. I. Ohshima: Institute of Low Temperature Science
Y. Fukamachi: Institute of Low Temperature Science
A. D. Fraser: Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre, University of Tasmania
L. Gao: The First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration
H. Chen: The First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration
C. R. McMahon: Sydney Institute of Marine Science
R. Harcourt: Sydney Institute of Marine Science
M. Hindell: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract A fourth production region for the globally important Antarctic bottom water has been attributed to dense shelf water formation in the Cape Darnley Polynya, adjoining Prydz Bay in East Antarctica. Here we show new observations from CTD-instrumented elephant seals in 2011–2013 that provide the first complete assessment of dense shelf water formation in Prydz Bay. After a complex evolution involving opposing contributions from three polynyas (positive) and two ice shelves (negative), dense shelf water (salinity 34.65–34.7) is exported through Prydz Channel. This provides a distinct, relatively fresh contribution to Cape Darnley bottom water. Elsewhere, dense water formation is hindered by the freshwater input from the Amery and West Ice Shelves into the Prydz Bay Gyre. This study highlights the susceptibility of Antarctic bottom water to increased freshwater input from the enhanced melting of ice shelves, and ultimately the potential collapse of Antarctic bottom water formation in a warming climate.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12577

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