Arctic River Flow: A Review of Contributing Areas

Abstract

A circumpolar ring of land practically surrounds the Arctic Ocean. The areal extent of the landmass, which transfers flow to this ocean, is substantial and exceeds the ocean area to which it contributes. For example, headwater streams as far south as 46°N in Russia eventually empty into this relatively confined northern basin. As noted by Lewis et al.[1],the total volume and temporal variability of freshwater discharge to the Arctic Ocean (AO) is of critical concern to the ocean freshwater budget (FWB) and subsequently, via atmospheric and oceanographic feedbacks, to global climate. In general, considerable research continues to refine the size and variability of the various components that comprise the AOFWB, some of which are difficult to quantify. Despite the relatively large database for the river-flow component, there exists in the literature considerable variation in the estimates of its contribution. The objectives of this paper were to quantify the magnitude of river flow entering the Arctic Ocean according to the ocean definition of [1], to compare this value with other recent estimates, and to identify reasons for differences in the estimates. A detailed analysis of historical trends in Arctic flow are not included since this is provided by Shiklomanov et al.[2] and Grabs et al.[3], elsewhere in this volume. The potential impact of future climate change on total Arctic river flow, however, is the focus of a final objective. Recommendations for future research conclude the manuscript.