Abstract
REMOTE sensing using an airborne infrared lidar1 has shown an unexpected capability to detect open leads (linear openings) in Arctic sea ice and their associated meteorology in winter. Here we show that vertical profiles of backscattered radiation demonstrate strong returns from hydrometeor plumes originating from leads having a surface water temperature near –1.8 °C. Recently refrozen leads are also distinguishable by the lidar backscatter from adjacent thicker, older sea ice. Wide leads release enough energy to create buoyant plumes which penetrate the Arctic boundary layer inversion, transporting heat and moisture into the troposphere. These results show that the role of the Arctic as a global heat sink may need to be re-evaluated, and that lead plumes have a significant effect on the radiation budget.
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Schnell, R., Barry, R., Miles, M. et al. Lidar detection of leads in Arctic sea ice. Nature 339, 530–532 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/339530a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/339530a0
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