Winter Dynamics in an Epishelf Lake: Quantitative Mixing Estimates and
Ice Shelf Basal Channel Considerations
Abstract
Milne Ice Shelf is located at the mouth of Milne Fiord
(82.6$^\circ$N, 81.0$^\circ$W),
on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut. This floating ice feature is attached to
both sides of the fjord. During the melt season, the ice shelf acts as a
dam preventing surface runoff from flowing freely to the ocean. This
results in a permanent layer of freshwater that “floats” on top of the
seawater of the fjord, commonly known as an epishelf lake. The winter
data from a mooring installed in Milne Fiord epishelf lake (2011-2019)
is analysed in the framework of a one-dimensional model in order to 1)
study mixing in the upper water column and 2) infer the characteristics
of a basal channel in the ice shelf. The results show that vertical
mixing rates are higher in the epishelf lake than in the seawater below.
Estimation of the Richardson number using a geostrophic balance approach
reveals that enhanced mixing in the epishelf lake is associated with
horizontal temperature gradients. Moreover, the analysis suggests that
the epishelf lake water reaching the ocean travels through a single
basal channel in the ice shelf. The model did not detect significant
variation in outflow characteristics over the eight years of study,
implying that the area of the basal channel is in ice mass balance.