A Calgary researcher who spent the past eight months studying sea ice in Antarctica says he’s seen the effects of climate change in this part of the world firsthand.
Vishnu Nandan, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Calgary, is working with Robbie Mallett of the University of Manitoba to study various techniques that could improve the way radar satellites measure ice and snow thickness in Antarctica.
His work is part of a British project aimed at establishing an advanced ground-based radar system that mimics what satellites do in orbit.
“Actually, even before we arrived, we knew there wouldn’t be much sea ice because it’s been so warm lately,” said Mr. Nandan said in a telephone interview while at the Rothera Research Station on Adelaide Island. , located nearly 1900 kilometers south of the Falkland Islands.
University of Calgary photo courtesy of The Canadian Press
Vishnu Nandan
“When we arrived, there was the least amount of sea ice recorded in recent decades. »
The problem is that the region gets so much snow, sometimes up to a meter, that it’s difficult to get accurate measurements of snow and sea ice thickness with satellites in orbit.
So researchers collected ground data to improve satellite algorithms and create the precise measurements needed for climate change-related predictions.
A significant decrease
Mr. Nandan conducted similar research in the Central Arctic Ocean a few years ago. During that time, he boarded an icebreaker for a year to complete an in-depth study of global warming from an observation point near the North Pole.
Arctic sea ice has decreased significantly over the last 30 to 40 years – by about 70%. In comparison, Antarctica has remained stable, but in recent years, since about 2016, there has been a dramatic decline in sea ice extent in many parts of Antarctica.
Vishnu Nandan, Analyst
“What’s happening now is extreme. It’s very extreme. When you look at the total sea ice area, it’s almost a million square kilometers less than the previous lowest extent in 1986.”
While there is still plenty of snow, there will be several days of rain, which is unusual, Nandan said, adding that warm air prevents sea ice from freezing.
“Sea ice is white in color and reflects most of the sunlight,” he explained. If there is less sea ice, there is more open water, which absorbs much of the sunlight. »
So the polar oceans are warming, which will affect both the environment and the weather.
“We’re already seeing extreme weather events like hurricanes, typhoons, and extreme weather events like hurricanes,” he recalled. It affects the environment. »
Mr. Nandan will return to Calgary in November after completing his stay in Antarctica. His work is also funded by the University of Manitoba.
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