Atlantic Water temperature and climate in the Barents Sea in Vladimir Boitsov, Alexey Karsakov, Alexander Trofimov Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (PINRO) Murmansk, Russia ICES/NAFO Symposium on the Variability of the North Atlantic and its Marine Ecosystems during May 2011, Santander, Spain

Barents Sea 2 The main paths of Atlantic waters > 1100 times since 1900

3 Barents Sea Decadal mean temperature in the m layer in the Murman Current warmer Atlantic waters 4.7°C the highest since 1900

Annual mean temperature anomalies in the m layer in the Murman Current 4 Barents Sea °C above average +0.3°C (2003) 2000, anomalously high temperatures 2006 – historical maximum (1.2°С above average)

5 Barents Sea Monthly mean temperature anomalies in the m layer in the Murman Current – absolute maxima VVIVIIVIIIIXX Winter anomalies were higher than summer ones.

Decadal mean air temperature anomalies around Bear Island 6 Barents Sea Bear Island °C above normal (2006 and 2007) Winter anomalies were higher than summer ones.

7 Barents Sea Ice coverage anomalies (May-July averaged) in the Barents sea in mean ice c. < mean ice c. by 10% 2006 and 2007 annual mean ice c. was 22-23% less-than-normal

8 Barents Sea Climate index for the Barents Sea T Air -T Air T Water -T Water Area Ice-free -Area σ T Air σ T Water σ Area Ice-free Climate index = + + T Air T Water Area Ice Climate T Air at Vardø and Kanin Nos coastal stations T Water in the m layer of the Murman Current Area Ice in May-July

9 Barents Sea Cumulative curve of the climate index for the Barents Sea ↓T A ↓T W ↑T Water + ↑Area Ice-free = ↑Climate index 2006

Barents Sea Cumulative curve of the climate index for the Barents Sea 10

Franz Josef Land - Novaya Zemlya section Barents Sea PINRO IMR

12 Barents Sea Temperature in the Franz Josef Land - Novaya Zemlya section in September Surface and outflowing waters much warmer ( )

13 Bottom temperature in August–September Barents Sea 2000

14 Bottom temperature in August–September Barents Sea 2001

15 Bottom temperature in August–September Barents Sea 2002

16 Bottom temperature in August–September Barents Sea 2003

17 Bottom temperature in August–September Barents Sea 2004

18 Bottom temperature in August–September Barents Sea 2005

19 Bottom temperature in August–September Barents Sea 2006

20 Bottom temperature in August–September Barents Sea 2007

21 Bottom temperature in August–September Barents Sea 2008

22 Bottom temperature in August–September Barents Sea 2009

23 Bottom temperature in August–September Barents Sea 51 <5-6% >2°C 0-2°C <0°C

24 Barents Sea Bottom temperature in August–September Anomalies in 2007 (the smallest area covered by water <0°C) Differences between 2007 values and max values since 1951 The lower T in the m layer of the Kola Section in winter, the larger bottom area covered by water <0°C in Aug-Sep. 94% 35%

25 Conclusions ● In , air and water temperatures in the Barents Sea were higher-than-normal throughout the years, with extremely high positive anomalies in some years. ● The last decade was the warmest one since ● The warming processes in the Barents Sea peaked in In the climate index almost halved. Barents Sea ● The decreasing trend in air and water temperatures in the Barents Sea is probably expected to continue into the nearest future, which will result in increased ice coverage.

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