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salinity data from SASSIE
aerial view of a ship on the SASSIE mission
salinity data from SASSIE

SASSIE

Salinity and Stratification at the Sea Ice Edge

The Salinity and Stratification at the Sea Ice Edge (SASSIE) field experiment focused on understanding the dynamics and impacts of near-surface anomalies generated by melting sea ice. 

In the western Arctic, salinity controls upper ocean stratification and heat is stored subsurface. Melting sea ice leaves a thin, stable layer of fresh water on the sea surface that can isolate this heat. SASSIE tested the hypothesis that in areas where the fresh layers generated by summer ice melt persist, the ocean surface cools quickly, creating conditions favorable for rapid ice advance in autumn.

SASSIE sampled the transition from summer melt to autumn ice advance in the Beaufort Sea in August-October 2022, making intensive in situ and remote sensing observations within ~200 km of the sea ice edge. Detailed measurements of upper ocean and surface salinity and temperature, air-sea fluxes, surface waves, and sea ice properties were collected from ship-based sensors and numerous autonomous assets. Airborne sensors measured sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface salinity (SSS), wind speed, and visible imagery of sea ice.

Study DatesAug. 11 - Oct. 5, 2022
Season of StudyBoreal fall, boreal summer, warm
RegionBeaufort Sea
Spatial Bounds

N: 77°N

S: 68°N

W: 155°W

E: 140°W

Focus Areas

Global Water and Energy Cycle

Climate Variability and Change

Geophysical ConceptsIce and Glacial Properties and Processes
Scientific Topics

Sea Ice

Ocean Salinity

Sea Surface Temperature

Ocean Currents

Summer Sea Ice Melt

Autumn Sea Ice Advance

SASSIE collected data in the Beaufort Sea off the northern coast of Alaska during August-October 2022.

Trajectories of wave gliders and locations of the R/V Wolstad (stars) during the deployment are bounded in yellow.

Trajectories of wave gliders and locations of the R/V Wolstad (stars) during the deployment. For more information and interactive map see the "Wave Gliders on the Move" StoryMap.

The following resources provide additional information about the SASSIE project.