Work

Map of Arctic and Antarctic Polynyas 2013–2022 Using Sea Ice Concentration

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Polynyas play a crucial role in polar ecosystems, influencing biodiversity, climate regulation, and oceanic processes. This study employs Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to determine the optimal sea ice concentration threshold for polynya identification, which is established at 75%. We present a dataset of daily polynya distribution in the Arctic and Antarctic from 2013 to 2022, analyzing their spatial patterns, interannual variability, and seasonal dynamics. Our results indicate that coastal polynyas, primarily located near landmasses, dominate both polar regions. The total polynya area in the Antarctic remained relatively stable, averaging approximately 1.86 × 108 km2 per year, with an interannual fluctuation of −3.1 × 105 km2 per year. In the Arctic, the average polynya area is around 1.59 × 108 km2 per year, with an interannual fluctuation of −7.1 × 105 km2 per year. Both regions exhibit distinct seasonal cycles: Arctic polynyas peak in May and reach their minimum in September, whereas Antarctic polynyas expand in November and contract to their smallest extent in February. The polynya formation and development result from a complex interplay of multiple factors, with no single variable fully explaining variations in polynyas’ extent. Additionally, the polynya area in the NOW, and Weddell Sea polynyas, exhibit consistent trends with chlorophyll-a concentration, highlighting their role as critical habitats for primary productivity in polar regions. These findings provide key insights into polynya dynamics and their broader implications for climate and ecological processes in polar regions.

Source: Remote Sensing

DOI: 10.3390/rs17071213

Authors: Kun Yang, Jin Wu, Haiyan Li, Fan Xu, Menghao Zhang