Masters Project

For my masters dissertation I researched the Weddell Sea polynya. This is an ice-free region in the winter sea ice, which is important for energy, moisture, and gas exchange between the ocean and atmosphere. The Weddell Polynya was observed by the first satellites during the winters of 1974-1976. It was initially considered a regular feature. However, it disappeared until the winters of 2016 and 2017.

I compared the historical and recent polynyas using satellite data and in situ measurements, focusing on their formation mechanisms. Satellite images revealed different formation processes, with an embayment process in the 1970s and development from closed ice cover in 2016 and 2017.