Articles | Volume 20, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-3271-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-3271-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
| 
09 Jun 2026
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 09 Jun 2026
| 09 Jun 2026
The influence of ocean waves on Antarctic sea-ice albedo and seasonal melting, and potential coupled physical and biological feedbacks
Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia
ARC Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia
Phillip A. Reid
Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia
Stephen G. Warren
Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
Bonnie Light
Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
Polar Science Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
Donald K. Perovich
Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA
Luke G. Bennetts
School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
formerly at: School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
Petteri Uotila
Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research/Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
Siobhan P. O'Farrell
CSIRO Environment, Aspendale, Victoria 3195, Australia
Michael H. Meylan
School of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
Klaus M. Meiners
Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia
ARC Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia
Pat Wongpan
Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia
Alexander D. Fraser
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia
Alessandro Toffoli
Department of Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
Giulio Passerotti
Department of Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
Peter G. Strutton
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia
ARC Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia
Sean M. T. Chua
Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Battery Point, Tasmania 7004, Australia
Melissa Fedrigo
Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia
Data sets
Calculation of Antarctic sea ice melt rate enhancements for "The influence of ocean waves on Antarctic sea-ice albedo and seasonal melting, and physical-biological feedbacks" Phillip Reid https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18995070
Editorial statement
This manuscript is relevant for the broader geoscience community and the broader public/media as it discusses in depth the role of waves in ice that goes beyond commonly considered mechanical break up but includes implications for radiation, melting, and biology, and the feedbacks thereof. It thus also discusses critical missing processes in climate models. The manuscript includes recommendations for future research focused in the role of waves in ice that will direct future research projects and cruises. Compelling visuals make the material particularly accessible for a broader public.
This manuscript is relevant for the broader geoscience community and the broader public/media as...
Short summary
This paper advances understanding of why and how Antarctic sea ice can retreat so rapidly each summer, and identifies critical gaps in climate models, by highlighting 3 previously-neglected wave-driven processes and 5 associated feedbacks that accelerate seasonal ice melting and link physics to biology (wave flooding, wave pulverisation and wave greening). There are major implications for Earth’s radiation budget, Antarctic ecosystems and the accuracy of future sea-ice and climate projections.
This paper advances understanding of why and how Antarctic sea ice can retreat so rapidly each...
