Publication Date
2-5-2026
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Geophysical Research Letters
Volume
53
Issue
3
DOI
10.1029/2025GL118871
Abstract
Arctic sea ice plays a critical role in Earth's climate system, and as it continues to thin and retreat, understanding the processes driving its variability is increasingly important. Using satellite data and a coupled ocean–sea ice model, we examined how freshwater from the Mackenzie River influences fall sea ice formation in the Beaufort Sea. An “ice bridge” between the coast and offshore ice edge consistently forms over the river's freshwater plume, with its location and extent varying interannually with freshwater distribution. Regions influenced by the plume experienced sea ice onset an average of 3 weeks earlier than adjacent, saltier waters. Earlier ice formation was associated with enhanced stratification, shallower mixed layers, and reduced upper ocean heat content, all of which promotes faster surface cooling. Our findings highlight the importance of river discharge in shaping sea ice formation and suggest continued Arctic freshening will impact future sea ice timing and extent.
Funding Number
80NSSC21K0832
Funding Sponsor
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Keywords
freshwater plume, Mackenzie River, ocean modeling, remote sensing, sea ice, stratification
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Department
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Recommended Citation
M. J. Zahn, S. Fournier, I. G. Fenty, M. Steele, M. Wood, and P. Gaube. "Mackenzie River Freshwater Controls Early Sea Ice Formation in the Eastern Beaufort Sea" Geophysical Research Letters (2026). https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL118871
