The project was led by Dr Diana Francis, director of the Institute of Environmental Geophysical Sciences and assistant professor in the School of Earth Sciences, and included a team of five researchers from Khalifa University and two scientific researchers from the Australian Antarctic Territory. led.
In this regard, Professor Bien Sharif, Rector of Khalifa University, said: “We are proud that Khalifa University is the first in the UAE to develop an innovative device to study and conduct research on the formation and melting of sea ice in Antarctica,” contributing to a better understanding of the risks of sea level rise. I will. This achievement confirms our commitment to leading in innovation and scientific exploration, especially in the field of climate change. The initiative began at Khalifa University in 2020 and has succeeded in attracting international cooperation with countries working in Antarctica. ”
Sea ice in the southern seas around Antarctica begins to form in May every year and reaches its maximum density in July, in the middle of the tropical winter. The researchers strategically deployed the device in April, just before sea ice began to form, to obtain accurate information about ocean and atmospheric conditions before this critical stage.
“As ice forms around the instrument, it continuously measures all parameters and the gradual development of sea ice thickness. Additionally, the instrument is designed to monitor the melting period in early autumn in the tropics,” Dr. Francis said. It records the conditions of the ice, water, and atmosphere at the time of their onset, providing valuable data on the ocean, ice, and atmospheric conditions that control sea ice formation and melting.”
Antarctic sea ice helps protect the continent from waves and oceans that affect glaciers. This slows the flow of ice from Antarctica’s interior (ice sheets and glaciers), contributing to sea level rise. Understanding the processes involved in sea ice formation and melting is important to better understand the risks associated with sea level rise due to Antarctic ice.
More than 99.5 percent of Antarctica is covered by ice, and 90 percent of the Earth’s frozen fresh water is stored in Antarctica. This continent’s ice reflects the sun’s heat, provides a habitat for microscopic plants that absorb carbon, and produces cold salt water that helps control global sea levels and drive global ocean currents. It plays an important role in regulating the Earth’s climate.