ICESNAFO Symposium on the Variability of the North

ICES/NAFO Symposium on the Variability of the North Atlantic and its Marine Ecosystems during 2000 -2009 10 -12 May 2011, Santander, Spain Atlantic Water temperature and climate in the Barents Sea in 2000 -2009 Vladimir Boitsov, Alexey Karsakov, Alexander Trofimov Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (PINRO) Murmansk, Russia

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

Decadal mean temperature in the 0 -200 m layer in the Murman Current the highest since 1900 4. 7°C Barents Sea warmer Atlantic waters 3

Annual mean temperature anomalies in the 0 -200 m layer in the Murman Current 2000, 2004 -2009 anomalously high temperatures 0. 5. . . 1. 2°C above average 2006 – historical maximum (1. 2°С above average) +0. 3°C (2003) Barents Sea 4

Monthly mean temperature anomalies in the 0 -200 m layer in the Murman Current – absolute maxima V VI VIII IX X Winter anomalies were higher than summer ones. Barents Sea 5

Decadal mean air temperature anomalies around Bear Island Winter anomalies were higher than summer ones. Bear Island 2. 2 -2. 4°C above normal (2006 and 2007) Barents Sea 6

Ice coverage anomalies (May-July averaged) in the Barents sea in 1900 -2009 2000 -2009 mean ice c. < 1990 -1999 mean ice c. by 10% 2006 and 2007 annual mean ice c. was 22 -23% less-than-normal Barents Sea 7

Climate index for the Barents Sea TAir TWater Area. Ice Climate TAir-TAir TWater-TWater Area. Ice-free-Area Climate index = σ + + σ σArea T T Air Water Ice-free TAir at Vardø and Kanin Nos coastal stations TWater in the 0 -200 m layer of the Murman Current Area. Ice in May-July Barents Sea 8

Cumulative curve of the climate index for the Barents Sea ↑TWater + ↑Area. Ice-free = ↑Climate index 2006 1929 1988 Barents Sea 1997 -1999 ↓TA ↓TW 9

Cumulative curve of the climate index for the Barents Sea 10

Franz Josef Land - Novaya Zemlya section 2007 2008 PINRO IMR Barents Sea 11

Temperature in the Franz Josef Land Novaya Zemlya section in September 1991 2007 1992 2008 Barents Sea Surface and outflowing waters much warmer (2007 -2008) 12

Bottom temperature in August–September 2000 Barents Sea 13

Bottom temperature in August–September 2001 Barents Sea 14

Bottom temperature in August–September 2002 Barents Sea 15

Bottom temperature in August–September 2003 Barents Sea 16

Bottom temperature in August–September 2004 Barents Sea 17

Bottom temperature in August–September 2005 Barents Sea 18

Bottom temperature in August–September 2006 Barents Sea 19

Bottom temperature in August–September 2007 Barents Sea 20

Bottom temperature in August–September 2008 Barents Sea 21

Bottom temperature in August–September 2009 Barents Sea 22

Bottom temperature in August–September 51 <5 -6% 31 4 -5 >2°C 0 -2°C <0°C Barents Sea 23

Bottom temperature in August–September The lower T in the 150 -200 m layer of the Kola Section in winter, the larger bottom area covered by water <0°C in Aug-Sep. Anomalies in 2007 (the smallest area covered by water <0°C) Differences between 2007 values and max values since 1951 35% 94% Barents Sea 24

Conclusions ● In 2000 -2009, 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 1900. ● The warming processes in the Barents Sea peaked in 2006 -2007. In 2008 -2009 the climate index almost halved. ● 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. Barents Sea 25

Thank you for your time!