A Calgary researcher who has been in Antarctica for the past eight months studying sea ice says he has observed the effects of climate change in this region of the world.
Posted at 2:05 p.m.
Bill Graveland The Canadian Press
Vishnu Nandan, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Calgary, along with Robbie Mallett of the University of Manitoba, are studying various techniques that could improve the way radar satellites measure the thickness of Antarctica’s ice and snow.
His work is part of a British project that aims to establish an advanced ground-based radar system that could mimic the way satellites work in orbit.
“We actually knew before we arrived that we wouldn’t have much sea ice because it has been very warm recently,” Mr Nandan said in a telephone interview while at the Rothera research station on the island of Adelaide, located almost 1900 kilometers south of the Falkland Islands.
PHOTO UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY BY THE CANADIAN PRESS
Vishnu Nandan
“When we arrived we had the lowest sea ice ever measured in decades. »
The problem, Nandan said, is that so much snow falls in the region, sometimes up to a meter, that it is difficult to get accurate measurements of snow and sea ice thickness from satellites in orbit.
Researchers therefore collected ground data to improve satellite algorithms to produce precise measurements that are essential for climate change predictions.
Significant decrease
Mr. Nandan conducted similar research in the central Arctic Ocean several years ago. At that time, he spent a year aboard an icebreaker to conduct an in-depth study of global warming from an observation point near the North Pole.
Arctic sea ice has declined significantly – by about 70% in the last 30 to 40 years. In comparison, Antarctica has remained stable, but in recent years, starting around 2016, many parts of Antarctica have experienced a dramatic decline in sea ice levels.
Vishnu Nandan, researcher
“What is happening is serious. This is very serious. If you look at the entire sea ice area, it is almost one million square kilometers below the previous low of 1986.”
While there is still plenty of snow, there are also several days of rain, which is unusual, Nandan said, adding that the warm wind is preventing the ocean ice from freezing solid.
“Sea ice is white in color and reflects most of the sunlight that hits it,” he explained. When there is less sea ice, that means there is more open water to absorb most of the sunlight. »
As a result, the polar seas are becoming warmer, which can affect both the ecosystem and the weather.
“We are already seeing more climate disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes and extreme weather phenomena such as torrential rain,” he recalled. This impacts the ecosystem – from alligators and microplankton to animals like seals that require sea ice as a habitat. »
Mr. Nandan has completed his stay in Antarctica and will return to Calgary in November. His work is also supported by the University of Manitoba.