Recent studies continue to emphasize the role of landfast ice (LFI) in the Kara Sea and its impact on Arctic Ocean salinity. Research indicates that the presence of stable LFI cover leads to fresher surface water, influencing the salinity levels in both the Kara Sea and the broader Arctic Ocean.
The insulating effect of LFI prevents new ice formation, which typically increases salinity due to salt rejection during freezing. This results in a negative salinity anomaly that extends from the Kara Sea, along the Taymyr Peninsula, and into the Makarov Basin through the Vilkitsky Strait.
This freshwater signal is further amplified by river runoff from the Ob and Yenisei Rivers, contributing to the overall freshening of the Arctic Ocean's surface layers. Monitoring these dynamics is crucial for understanding Arctic hydrography and the circulation of Atlantic and Pacific waters.