Amplification of turbulent exchange over wide Arctic leads: Large‐eddy simulation study

Abstract

Leads (narrow openings in the sea ice cover) are perhaps the most pronounced examples of heat islands naturally occurring on Earth. Large air‐water temperature differences induce strong turbulent convection. In addition, large ice‐water temperature differences induce more regular, breeze‐like circulation at ice edges. Both the turbulent convection and the breeze result in intensive turbulent heat exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere. This study describes a series of turbulence‐resolving experiments with the Large Eddy Simulation Nansen Center Improved Code (LESNIC). The numerical experiments quantify the turbulent heat exchange over leads of different widths. Contrary to the expected gradual decrease of the surface heat flux per unit area of open water, a strong amplification of the heat flux has been discovered for certain leads. This amplification results from a positive feedback between the horizontal entrainment of cool air in breeze and the turbulent heat exchange. Gradual reduction of the turbulent exchange for wider leads is thought to be due to development of self‐organized structures in the convection. Pressure anomalies induced by the convective overturning could be comparable with the pressure anomalies due to the surface temperature difference. Their superposition limits the penetration of the cold breeze into the lead area. Without the horizontal entrainment, the near‐surface temperature rises, reducing the average turbulent fluxes. In addition, the structures use the available kinetic energy to drive convective overturning. It also reduces the near‐surface velocity and therefore fluxes. The maximum heat flux over open water was obtained for 2 km to 4 km leads. The maximum flux exceeds five‐fold the flux in the homogeneous convection case. The revealed flux enhancement may have significant impact on the Arctic climate and more generally on the climate of urban areas and other heat islands. Therefore direct confirmation of the results from observational campaigns is urgently needed.