Sensitivity of the Arctic sea ice cover to the summer surface scattering layer | CU Experts

The ‘surface scattering layer’ (SSL) is the highly-scattering,; coarse-grained ice layer that forms on the surface of melting, drained; sea ice during spring and summer. Ice of sufficient thickness with an; SSL has an observed persistent broadband albedo of; ~0.65, resulting in a strong influence on the regional; solar partitioning. Experiments during the MOSAiC expedition showed that; the SSL re-forms in approximately one day following manual removal.; Coincident spectral albedo measurements provide insight into the SSL; evolution, where albedo increased on sunny days with higher solar; insolation. Comparison with experiments in radiative transfer and global; climate models show that the sea ice albedo is greatly impacted by the; SSL thickness. The presence of SSL is a significant component of the; ice-albedo feedback, with an albedo impact of the same order as melt; ponds. Changes in SSL and implications for Arctic sea ice within a; warming climate are uncertain.

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