Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: . Anomalously warm oceanic events, often termed marine heatwaves, can potentially impact the ecosystem in the affected region and has therefore become a hot topic for research in recent years. Determining the amplitudes and extent of marine heatwaves, however, depends on the definition and climatological baseline used. Moreover, the stress applied by the heatwave to the marine ecosystem will depend on which component of the ecosystem is considered. Here, we utilize a model reanalysis (1991–2021) to explore the frequency, intensity and duration of marine heatwaves in the Barents Sea, as well as their regional expression. We find that major marine heatwaves are rather coherent throughout the region and have comparable surface and bottom expressions. Moreover, we utilize a 60-year regional model hindcast to show the impact of changing baselines on marine heatwave statistics. Our results indicate that severe marine heatwaves are likely becoming more frequent in a future Barents Sea due to ongoing climate change.
Source: State of the Planet
Authors: Vidar S. Lien, Roshin P. Raj, Sourav Chatterjee
Language: English
Subfield: Oceanography
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Award: G3647398994
OpenAlex ID: W4402984923