Unravelling FRESHwater and ocean Currents changes in the Arctic using REmote sensing

Introduction

The Arctic is warming rapidly, causing significant hydrographic changes including sea ice retreat, freshwater accumulation, and altered ocean currents. These changes intensify water stratification, potentially destabilizing Earth's thermohaline circulation. Despite its key role in the global climate system, the ultimate fate of Arctic freshwater remains unconstrained. Current estimates lack the resolution that remote sensing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can provide. It is crucial to improve freshwater flux uncertainties to better constrain future projections and understand global climate impacts.

Objectives of FRESH-CARE

FRESH-CARE aims to transform our understanding of Arctic freshwater dynamics. It will develop innovative methodologies that leverage:

• Radiometric satellite data
• Thermal satellite data
• Altimetric satellite data

Additionally, FRESH-CARE will AI-integrate remote sensing and in-situ information and run model simulations to forecast freshwater transports under various Shared Socioeconomic Pathways. The project will focus on three specific objectives:

1. Develop a novel AI-based methodology to characterize four-dimensional ocean currents.
2. Quantify freshwater transports through the main Arctic gateways.
3. Perform simulations for future Arctic freshwater scenarios using a coupled ice-ocean model.

Expected Outcomes

Overall, I envision that FRESH-CARE will offer a multidisciplinary view of ocean currents and freshwater fluxes in the Arctic Ocean over three decades, from hindcast in the 2010s to forecasts into the 2040s.

FRESH-CARE will provide pan-Arctic estimates of ocean currents and freshwater distribution with high spatiotemporal resolution. This will benefit:

• Polar oceanographers
• Earth modelers
• Climate scientists
• Society at large

FRESH-CARE findings will enhance the understanding and assimilation of ocean freshwater in future global climate models.