Ocean Melting Greenland

After spending two years working on the issues surrounding microplastics in the ocean, ORP expanded its research program to focus on the effects of climate change. This is an increasingly important area of marine science, given the complexity of its impact on the marine environment and coastal regions. ORP’s commitment to better understanding the effects of climate change is currently centered on its in-depth studies at the land-sea interface in the vicinity of Greenland. This is one of the least explored areas, and its rapidly deteriorating ice cap could significantly impact the ocean. The acceleration of sea level rise in heavily populated coastal areas and marine biodiversity loss are substantial risks in the face of changes to the volume, chemical composition, and physical characteristics of the Arctic water body.

Project Overview

The Ocean Melting Greenland (OMG) project is a pivotal collaboration between ORP and NASA aimed at studying the impact of warm, salty Atlantic water on Greenland’s melting glaciers. This research is crucial for understanding the dynamics of climate change in the Arctic and its implications for global sea level rise and marine biodiversity.

The Issue of Melting Ice

Climate change is rapidly transforming Greenland’s ice sheet and surrounding Arctic waters. The warm, salty water from the Atlantic Ocean is accelerating the melting of Greenland’s glaciers from below, contributing to rising sea levels and endangering marine biodiversity. This region, despite its significance, remains one of the least explored areas in terms of climate research.

Importance of the Study

Global Sea Level Rise: Understanding Greenland’s ice melt is crucial for predicting and mitigating global sea level rise, which threatens coastal communities worldwide.
Impact on Marine Ecosystems: Melting ice affects Arctic marine ecosystems, influencing biodiversity and fisheries crucial for local and global economies.
Climate Feedback Loops: Studying Arctic warming helps understand feedback loops that amplify climate change globally.
Policy and Adaptation Strategies: Informing policies and strategies to mitigate climate impacts and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Scientific Advancement: Advances scientific knowledge of polar regions, contributing to broader climate science and environmental understanding.

Collaborative Research with NASA

From 2015 to 2016, ORP undertook ambitious Arctic expeditions with NASA’s OMG program. Working tirelessly in harsh conditions, ORP’s team conducted extensive data collection efforts, including mapping previously unmapped regions and conducting hydrographic surveys to understand the pathways and impacts of Atlantic currents along Greenland’s coast.

Future Directions

ORP is committed to expanding its Arctic research footprint, including exploration of the Northwest Passage and integration of advanced technologies to enhance data collection capabilities. These efforts are vital for ongoing climate change monitoring and informing global strategies for climate resilience.

Key Publications

ORP's extensive research has contributed to several influential publications, including:

J.K. Willis, D. Carrol, I. Fenty, G. Kohli A. Khazendar, M. Morglighem, M. Rutherford, and N. Trenholm. 2018. Ocean-Ice Interactions in Inglefield Gulf: Early Results from NASA’s Ocean’s Melting Greenland Mission. Oceanography 31(2).

I. Fenty, J.K. Willis, A. Khasendar, S. Dinardo, R. Forsberg, I. Fukumori, D. Holland, M. Jakobsson, D. Moller, J. Morison, A. Munchow, E. Rignot, M.Scholok, A.F. Thompson, K. Tinto, M. Rutherford and N. Trenholm. 2016. Oceans Melting Greenland: Early results from NASA’s ocean-ice mission in Greenland. Oceanography. 29(4):72-83.

Click here to see a full list of ORP's publications.