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Antarctic Sea Ice Extent Reconstructions Throughout the 20th Century

Sleinkofer, Amanda M
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1620313247537371

Abstract Details

2021, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Geography (Arts and Sciences).
Due to the global impacts of Antarctic sea ice and the changing climate, it is important to understand what is influencing Antarctic sea ice variability in a historical context. This is especially true since observations of Antarctic sea ice only begin around 1979. To investigate what is influencing Antarctic sea ice in a longer context, this study generated, evaluated, and analyzed new reconstructions of Antarctic sea ice extent (SIE) through statistical relationships with other long-term datasets available throughout the 20th century. A principal component regression technique that has been proven successful in other Antarctic climate reconstructions was employed in this study, using pressure and temperature observations across the Southern Hemisphere in conjunction with indices of large-scale climate variability known to influence Antarctic SIE. Ultimately, this study was conducted to determine if Antarctic SIE reconstructions are a skillful measure for understanding historical Antarctic sea ice trends and variability throughout the 20th century. The newly generated reconstructions demonstrate that skillful seasonal (extending back to 1905) and monthly (extending back to 1957) sea ice reconstructions can be produced. In comparison, the monthly reconstructions outperformed the seasonal reconstructions based on various assessments (including an independent validation approach), although both sets of reconstructions improved historical sea ice extent knowledge well beyond the use climatological mean. Although shorter in duration due to the inclusion of nearby Antarctic temperature and pressure (which begin near 1957), the monthly reconstructions also allowed for a broader analysis on sea ice extent for month-to-month variations and were useful for monitoring changes in the reconstruction skill performance that could not be seen on a seasonal level. While these new reconstructions unlock new information previously unknown about early 20th century Antarctic sea ice extent, one of the more scientifically important revelations from the new reconstructions were changes in temporal trends throughout the 20th century. Specifically, this study found that half of the reconstructions had a sign switch in the sea ice extent trends between the pre-satellite era (before 1979) and the observed satellite era (after 1979), highlighting the importance of temporal variability in the short observational sea ice record that was only hinted at in the short observational record. Overall, given their skill and connection to many physical processes, the new reconstructions will allow for an increase in the broad scale understanding of Antarctic climate variability over a much longer period than presently afforded by observations alone.
Ryan Fogt (Advisor)
Jana Houser (Committee Member)
Gaurav Sinha (Committee Member)
218 p.
Atmospheric Sciences; Climate Change; Earth; Environmental Science; Geography; Meteorology; Physical Geography
Antarctica; Southern Hemisphere; Sea Ice; Sea Ice Variability; Climate Variability; Climate Change; Antarctic Climate; Sea Ice Reconstructions

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Sleinkofer, A. M. (2021). Antarctic Sea Ice Extent Reconstructions Throughout the 20th Century [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1620313247537371

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Sleinkofer, Amanda. Antarctic Sea Ice Extent Reconstructions Throughout the 20th Century. 2021. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1620313247537371.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Sleinkofer, Amanda. "Antarctic Sea Ice Extent Reconstructions Throughout the 20th Century." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1620313247537371

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1620313247537371
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.
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