The Arctic, known as Earth’s icy crown, is facing an unprecedented climate crisis, with temperatures rising at a staggering rate—four times faster than the global average. Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have delved into the heart of this issue, shedding light on the reduction of sunlight reflectivity, scientifically known as albedo, intensifying the Arctic’s warming. This groundbreaking work, recently published in the journal Scientific Reports, has the potential to unlock the secrets of Arctic amplification.

Unlike traditional Arctic explorers, the Sandia researchers have employed cutting-edge technology, tapping into data from GPS satellite radiometers to capture the sunlight bouncing off the Arctic. This data dive could hold the key to deciphering the code behind the rapid warming of the Arctic. Erika Roesler, an atmospheric and climate scientist at Sandia, emphasized the significance of this research, stating, “The uneven warming in the Arctic is both a scientific curiosity and a pressing concern, leading us to question why this landscape has been changing so dramatically.”

The study builds upon previous research suggesting sea-ice albedo feedbacks drive Arctic amplification. These feedbacks involve two main factors: the overall reduction in sea ice, leading to more exposure to the dark ocean, and the reflectivity of the remaining sea ice, including ponding water on ice due to melting. Sandia researchers aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the reduction in reflectivity in the Arctic, and their analysis revealed a 20% to 35% decrease in total reflectivity over the Arctic summer.

Amy Kaczmarowski, an engineer at Sandia, conducted an in-depth analysis of the data from 2014 to 2019, uncovering significant insights. The study revealed that one-third of the loss of reflectivity is attributed to fully melted ice. In contrast, the weathering of the remaining sea ice likely causes the remaining two-thirds. This weathered ice, which can be thinner and may contain melt ponds, is crucial in reducing reflectivity. The researchers hope their findings will be integrated into climate models for a more comprehensive understanding of Arctic amplification.

The use of GPS satellites to gather this data is particularly noteworthy, as it provides continuous views of 37% of the Earth, offering a unique vantage point for studying the changes in the Arctic. The researchers are enthusiastic about the potential for further collaboration with other climate scientists and plan to continue mining the GPS data for additional insights into the climate applications of various regions of the Earth.

This study marks a significant step forward in unraveling the complexities of Arctic amplification, and the findings hold promise for informing future research and climate modeling efforts.

References

• Dreike, P. L., Kaczmarowski, A. K., Garrett, C. D., Christiansen, G., Roesler, E. L., & Ivey, M. (2023). Broadband radiometric measurements from GPS satellites reveal summertime Arctic Ocean Albedo decreases more rapidly than sea ice recedes. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 13769. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39877-x
• Vigil, K. & Sandia National Laboratories. (2024, January 11). Chasing the light: Study finds new clues about warming in the Arctic. Phys.Org; Sandia National Laboratories. https://phys.org/news/2024-01-clues-arctic.html