Ocean Modification and Seasonality in a Northern Ellesmere Island Glacial Fjord Prior to Ice Shelf Breakup: Milne Fiord

Abstract

AbstractUnderstanding the impact of the break‐up of northern Ellesmere Island ice shelves on fjord dynamics is limited by a lack of ocean observations prior to ice loss. Based on profiling and mooring data collected between 2011 and 2019, we describe the oceanography of Milne Fiord prior to the 2020 breakup of the Milne Ice Shelf, including, sources of ambient water, under‐ice hydrography, glacial modification, and seasonality. Ambient waters originate in the Canada Basin but are modified by interaction with the 100 m thick ice shelf at the fjord entrance, and extensive glacier tongue at the head. Properties within the 436 m deep fjord are depth‐dependent, with freshwater surface runoff and subglacial discharge accumulating in the upper 50 m of the fjord each summer behind the ice shelf. Freshwater export is restricted to a basal channel in the ice shelf, resulting in the fjord being more stratified and warmer than waters offshore year‐round. Below the ice shelf and above a 260 m deep sill unrestricted exchange allows warm Atlantic Water to penetrate to the 150 m deep glacier grounding line where submarine melting occurs. Basal meltwater spreads down‐fjord close to its depth of origin due to the strong stratification. Interannual warming of fjord deepwater is likely driven by shoaling of the Arctic Ocean thermocline and spillover at the sill, highlighting the link between fjord properties and regional oceanography. Further breakup of the ice shelf is predicted to substantially alter fjord dynamics, with consequences for ocean forcing of the Milne Glacier.