Articles | Volume 20, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-20-895-2024
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-20-895-2024
Research article
 | 
11 Jul 2024
Research article |  | 11 Jul 2024

The Polar Front in the northwestern Barents Sea: structure, variability and mixing

Eivind H. Kolås, Ilker Fer, and Till M. Baumann

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Cited articles

Årthun, M., Ingvaldsen, R., Smedsrud, L., and Schrum, C.: Dense water formation and circulation in the Barents Sea, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 58, 801–817, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2011.06.001, 2011. a
Årthun, M., Eldevik, T., Smedsrud, L. H., Skagseth, Ø., and Ingvaldsen, R. B.: Quantifying the Influence of Atlantic Heat on Barents Sea Ice Variability and Retreat, J. Clim., 25, 4736–4743, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00466.1, 2012. a
Årthun, M., Eldevik, T., and Smedsrud, L. H.: The Role of Atlantic Heat Transport in Future Arctic Winter Sea Ice Loss, J. Clim., 32, 3327–3341, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-18-0750.1, 2019. a, b
Atadzhanova, O., Zimin, A., Svergun, E., and Konik, A.: Submesoscale Eddy Structures and Frontal Dynamics in the Barents Sea, Phys. Oceanogr., 25, 220–228, https://doi.org/10.22449/1573-160X-2018-3-220-228, 2018. a, b, c, d, e
Barton, B. I., Lenn, Y.-D., and Lique, C.: Observed Atlantification of the Barents Sea Causes the Polar Front to Limit the Expansion of Winter Sea Ice, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 48, 1849–1866, https://doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-18-0003.1, 2018. a, b, c
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Short summary
In the northwestern Barents Sea, we study the Barents Sea Polar Front formed by Atlantic Water meeting Polar Water. Analyses of ship and glider data from October 2020 to February 2021 show a density front with warm, salty water intruding under cold, fresh water. Short-term variability is linked to tidal currents and mesoscale eddies, influencing front position, density slopes and water mass transformation. Despite seasonal changes in the upper layers, the front remains stable below 100 m depth.
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