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About OAII |
Gary Maykut
Thomas C. Grenfell
University of Washington
Start Date: May 1, 1995
Expires: April 30, 1997 (Estimated)
Expected Total Amt.: $140,031 (Estimated)
Fld Science: Geological Sciences
Abstract:
Research supported by this grant is under the auspices of the Arctic Systems Science (ARCSS) Global Change Research Program and is jointly sponsored by the Division of Ocean Sciences and the Office of Polar Programs. Work to be performed represents preliminary steps towards a major 5-year research project named SHEBA, which is envisioned to study the heat budget of the Arctic Ocean and its impact on global change. The primary goals of SHEBA are: (1) to develop, test and implement models of arctic ocean-atmosphere-ice processes that demonstrably improve simulations of the present day arctic climate, including its variability, using General Circulation Models (GCMs), and (2) to improve the interpretation of satellite remote sensing data in the Arctic for analysis of the arctic climate system and provide reliable data for model input, model validation and climate monitoring. This project will determine which physical parameters have the greatest impact on the adsorption of heat by the ice and ocean in areas where melt ponds and leads in the pack ice are common. This information is important because present climate models cannot account for the effect of greater heat absorption by leads and melt ponds on the mass balance of pack ice in the summer. The results will lead to better climate models to simulate the interaction of climate and sea ice in the Arctic.