Simulated Variability of the Arctic Ocean Freshwater Balance 1948–2001

Abstract

Abstract The Arctic Ocean freshwater balance over the period 1948–2001 is examined using results from a hindcast simulation with an ocean–sea ice model of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Atmospheric forcing is taken from the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis and different terrestrial freshwater sources as well as the Bering Strait throughflow are specified as constant seasonal cycles. The long-term variability of the Arctic Ocean liquid freshwater content is determined by the variability of lateral exchanges with the subpolar seas. Surface freshwater flux variability is dominated by the thermodynamic growth of sea ice. This component of the freshwater balance has larger variability at interannual frequencies. The Arctic Ocean liquid freshwater content was at a maximum in the middle of the 1960s. Extremely low liquid freshwater export through Fram Strait caused this maximum in the freshwater content. The low export rate was related to weak volume transports in the East Greenland Current. Low volume transports were forced by a reduction in sea surface height across Fram Strait, triggered by anomalous meltwater from Barents Sea ice export that was carried toward Fram Strait with the West Spitzbergen Current. After the 1960s maximum liquid freshwater content, the Arctic Ocean gradually returned to an equilibrium between export through the passages toward the Atlantic and the freshwater sources.