Water Balance and Heat Flow of the Arctic Ocean

Abstract

Summarizes the literature on these two elements of the heat balance. Specific heat of water 1 cal/g degree, and density: 1 g/cu cm are used in the calculations, and a resulting inaccuracy of about 3% is expected. Method of calculation is described; energy in- and outflux values and the mean temperatures are discussed for the various ocean currents into and out of the Arctic. Runoff and precipitation are also considered. Ice export by the various currents is dealt with, and the heat gain by formation and export of sea ice is calculated, for the 14,090,000 sq km area of the central basin and adjacent seas, also for the 9,906,000 sq km "polar ocean" excluding the Norwegian and Greenland Seas. Water balance and heat flux estimates are tabulated and briefly evaluated.