A modified thermodynamic sea ice model and its application

A modified thermodynamic sea ice model suitable for large-scale climate simulations is described. Originated from the Winton's three-layer model framework, this new model includes several improvements in the vertical thermodynamics: (1) the number of ice layers increases from two to three; (2) the snow heat capacity is included; (3) a vertically varying salinity profile is implemented; and (4) a temperature-and salinity-dependent heat conductivity parameterization scheme is introduced. A non-iterative fully implicit time-stepping scheme similar to Winton's model is used to calculate the temperature of ice and snow. Results from a series of one-dimensional experiments show that equilibrium ice thickness in the modified model is increased by 45 cm when compared with the original Winton's model. All modifications mentioned above contribute to this change of ice thickness, among which the increase of ice layer has the most significant effect. Experiments using the Modular Ocean Model version 4 (MOM4) coupled with the modified model show an improved sea ice simulation which includes an increase in both the sea ice volume and thickness over the entire Arctic region, confirming the above founding. However, contrary model behavior exhibits when the snow heat capacity is considered that warrants further investigation.

Automated summary

This article describes a modified thermodynamic sea ice model suitable for large-scale climate simulations. With several improvements in the vertical thermodynamics, such as increased number of ice layers, inclusion of snow heat capacity, implementation of vertically varying salinity profile, and introduction of temperature-and salinity-dependent heat conductivity parameterization scheme, the modified model shows improved sea ice simulation.