Please could you explain your comment about ice increasing elsewhere? Sorry read the reference paper and didn’t see that. It’s a great alert and thank you for crafting still don’t exactly get the reason for increased salinity either - probably misreading and will reread!
You’re right that the PNAS paper itself focuses mainly on the result (increased salinity) rather than fully unpacking all the drivers. It isn’t due to one simple cause, it’s likely a mix of factors acting together.
More sea ice formation in certain regions. When sea ice forms, it rejects salt into the water below. Even though overall Antarctic sea ice is declining long-term, there are regional and seasonal spikes in ice formation that can temporarily increase local salinity. That’s what I meant by “ice increasing elsewhere” not a net gain, but pockets of increased freezing in certain zones that boost salinity locally.
Less glacial meltwater in some areas. In places where less freshwater is flowing in from glaciers, the ocean is less diluted, again, meaning relatively saltier water.
Stronger westerly winds are pushing surface water downwards, helping saltier water penetrate deeper.
Hope that helps clarify. Always happy to dig deeper if helpful.
Thank you for this! Such an important conversation to be having
Please could you explain your comment about ice increasing elsewhere? Sorry read the reference paper and didn’t see that. It’s a great alert and thank you for crafting still don’t exactly get the reason for increased salinity either - probably misreading and will reread!
You’re right that the PNAS paper itself focuses mainly on the result (increased salinity) rather than fully unpacking all the drivers. It isn’t due to one simple cause, it’s likely a mix of factors acting together.
More sea ice formation in certain regions. When sea ice forms, it rejects salt into the water below. Even though overall Antarctic sea ice is declining long-term, there are regional and seasonal spikes in ice formation that can temporarily increase local salinity. That’s what I meant by “ice increasing elsewhere” not a net gain, but pockets of increased freezing in certain zones that boost salinity locally.
Less glacial meltwater in some areas. In places where less freshwater is flowing in from glaciers, the ocean is less diluted, again, meaning relatively saltier water.
Stronger westerly winds are pushing surface water downwards, helping saltier water penetrate deeper.
Hope that helps clarify. Always happy to dig deeper if helpful.