Changes in the dynamics/energetics of surface and internal tides in the White Sea on the coexistence of shore-fast and drifting ice covers

Abstract

The results of modeling for M 2 surface and internal tides in the White Sea are discussed. These results are obtained for the case when shore-fast and drifting ice covers are present concurrently. It is assumed that the interface between ice covers is of non-tidal origin (i.e., it is pre-assigned) and that ice rheology is viscous-elastic, representative of the low temperatures typical of winter conditions. Emphasis is placed on tidal energetics and, in particular, on the averaged (over a tidal cycle) values of the density and the dissipation rate of barotropic/baroclinic tidal energy. It is shown that in the White Sea, unlike in other marginal seas, the averaged (over a tidal cycle) and depth-integrated density of baroclinic tidal energy for the combined ice cover is much less than the same defined density of barotropic tidal energy. Similarly, the averaged and integrated (over the volume of the White Sea) rate of baroclinic tidal energy dissipation is much less than the same defined rate of barotropic tidal energy dissipation. The latter, in turn, is greater than for the shore-fast ice cover, but is smaller than for the drifting ice cover.