Polynyas: Windows to the World

An interdisciplinary investigation into the distribution, dynamics and ecology of polynyas

Walker O. Smith Jr. (Edited by), David Barber (Edited by)

9780444529527

Hardback, published 22 May 2007

474 pages
26.2 x 19.2 x 2.9 cm, 1.28 kg

Polynyas are relatively ice-free regions when compared to the areas around them, and have been suggested as being foci for energy transfer between the atmosphere and ocean, ice “factories?, and critical areas with respect to polar ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. This volume presents an integrated, multidisciplinary review of polynyas in both the Arctic and Antarctic. It emphasizes the meteorology, ice dynamics, oceanography, biological components, chemistry, and modeling of these systems, particularly with respect to their roles in polar processes and distributions. The various interactions within polynyas, particularly between the physical forcing and biological responses, is emphasized, as are the potential changes in polynyas that might occur under a climate regime that is rapidly changing. The authors of the reviews are leaders among their respective countries in polynya research, and all are internationally recognized.

Preface. 1. The Role of Sea Ice in Arctic and Antarctic Polynyas (D. G. Barber and R. A. Massom). 2. Physical Oceanography of Polynyas (W.J. Williams, E.C. Carmack, R.G. Ingram). 3. Polynya modeling (A.J. Wilmott, D. M. Holland and M.A. Morales Maqueda). 4. Meteorology and atmosphere-surface coupling in and around polynyas (P.J. Minnett, E.L. Key). 5. Gas Fluxes and Dynamics in Polynyas (L.A. Miller, G.R. DiTullio). 6. Biogeochemistry of polynyas and their role in sequestration of anthropogenic constituents (M. Hoppema, L.G. Anderson). 7. Physical control of primary productivity in Arctic and Antarctic polynyas (K. R. Arrigo). 8. Primary Production and Nutrient Dynamics in Polynyas (J.-E. Tremblay and W.O. Smith, Jr.). 9. Zooplankton Processes in Polynyas (D. Deibel, K.L. Daly). 10. Pelagic bacterial processes in polynyas (H.W. Ducklow, P.L. Yager). 11. Benthic Processes in Polynyas (J.M. Grebmeier, J.P. Barry). 12. The Impact and Importance of Production in Polynyas to Top-Trophic Predators: Two Case Histories (N. Karnovsky, D. Ainley, P. Lee). 13. Polynyas and Climate Change: A View to the Future (W.O. Smith, Jr., D.G. Barber).

Subject Areas: Climate change [RNPG], Meteorology & climatology [RBP], Oceanography [seas RBKC], Geological surface processes [geomorphology RBGD], Geophysics [PHVG]