Speaking: Julio Ceniceros, University of Texas at El Paso / NOAA Center for Earth System
The ACORN series is a monthly online seminar series by PerCS-Net members on topics related to Arctic coastal research. Talks are scheduled for the last Wednesday of the month (September to May) at 1 pm Eastern Time.
Abstract
Arctic marine ecosystems have witnessed an increase in sea surface temperatures (SSTs) due to Arctic amplification, potentially affecting biogeochemical cycling and marine life. This study examines satellite-derived SSTs in the lagoon and adjoining waters of the Beaufort Sea Coast in northern Alaska. We compare observed changes with those occurring in other Arctic marine ecosystems. Results spanning 1982 to 2022 reveal a consistent warming trend across all lagoon environments during the ice-free season. Barrier islands emerge as crucial agents in safeguarding warmer waters from mixing with colder oceanic waters. Lagoons influenced by river deltas display prominent warming earlier in spring, while all lagoons exhibit a delayed freeze-up during the fall. We also investigate spatial variations in the rate and scope of warming sea surface temperatures within the lagoon and its adjacent waters. This study offers valuable insights into the potential repercussions of warming SSTs on nearshore lagoon ecosystems. The uniformity of these changes with those in open oceanic regions points toward shared underlying drivers of these trends.