Shelf–Fjord Exchange Regulated by Recirculating Greenland Meltwater in Glacial Troughs

Shelf–Fjord Exchange Regulated by Recirculating Greenland Meltwater in Glacial Troughs | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Shelf–Fjord Exchange Regulated by Recirculating Greenland Meltwater in Glacial Troughs Jie Huang, Robert Pickart, Michael Spall, Paul Myers, Frank Bahr, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7321564/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The Greenland Ice Sheet is rapidly losing mass due to climate warming, contributing significantly to global sea level rise and altering ocean circulation and ecosystems. Yet, the processes controlling interactions between glacial fjords and the adjacent continental shelf and slope are not fully understood, particularly the role of bathymetric troughs in modulating water exchange between the fjords and boundary current system. Here we present high-resolution shipboard, reanalysis, and numerical model data across several deep troughs in West Greenland, revealing a recurring anticyclonic recirculation of glacial meltwater within the inner Uummannaq trough, which isolates the glacial fjord from subsurface Atlantic Water inflow and thus limits oceanic heat penetration. This circulation—driven by seasonal meltwater discharge and modulated by wind forcing—contrasts with the adjacent Jakobshavn trough, where more efficient exchange prevents such retention. The presence of recirculating freshwater correlates with enhanced nutrient concentrations and isotopic signatures, suggesting broader biogeochemical impacts. Analogous recirculation patterns are also present in some East Greenland fjords where ice loss has been comparatively reduced. Our findings emphasize the critical role of fjord-shelf topography and regional dynamics in modulating Greenland’s glacial melting, freshwater export, and nutrient delivery, highlighting the need for improved representation of these processes in climate models. Earth and environmental sciences/Ocean sciences/Physical oceanography Earth and environmental sciences/Climate sciences/Cryospheric science Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7321564","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":500998350,"identity":"a3594a7a-29e3-4f58-9373-8e1042201c32","order_by":0,"name":"Jie 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Yet, the processes controlling interactions between glacial fjords and the adjacent continental shelf and slope are not fully understood, particularly the role of bathymetric troughs in modulating water exchange between the fjords and boundary current system. Here we present high-resolution shipboard, reanalysis, and numerical model data across several deep troughs in West Greenland, revealing a recurring anticyclonic recirculation of glacial meltwater within the inner Uummannaq trough, which isolates the glacial fjord from subsurface Atlantic Water inflow and thus limits oceanic heat penetration. This circulation—driven by seasonal meltwater discharge and modulated by wind forcing—contrasts with the adjacent Jakobshavn trough, where more efficient exchange prevents such retention. The presence of recirculating freshwater correlates with enhanced nutrient concentrations and isotopic signatures, suggesting broader biogeochemical impacts. 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