Fig. 3. Mixed-layer evolution in Antarctic polynyas.
Modeled temporal evolution of mixed-layer depth (A) and absolute salinity SA (B) in the Dalton Polynya. In red, we show the case with no meteoric water included. In black, meteoric water is included by reducing the surface salt flux by 35%. Shaded areas represent uncertainty in the model output related to uncertainty in sea ice production [±25% (37)], whereas blue bars indicate the range of observed WW properties. (C and D) Same as (A) and (B) for the Amundsen Polynya. Surface salt flux is reduced by 75% in the black line case. Blue bars are based on WW variability in different years (6, 12, 25). (E and F) Same as (A) and (B) for the Cape Darnley Polynya but only showing the no–meteoric water case because it reproduces observations of DSW formation (20). Note that the y axis stops at the full depth of the ocean, different in (A), (C), and (E) (figs. S1 to S3).