Understanding of the coastal waters of Antarctica is crucial in determining the ocean-ice system response to climate change. In this study, using hydrography data we have provided the observational evidence of anomalous warming (>1 °C) in the Prydz Bay during austral summer. Even though the warming was centred at 68°S, 74°E, the presence of warmer waters were also noticed close to the Amery Ice Shelf. The study further explored the causes and impact of this anomalous warming using satellite and re-analysis data. It was suggested that the advection of warmer waters towards the shelf region of the Prydz Bay between 72°E and 75°E was the main driver for the mixed layer warming. The surface heat flux played a weak role in the observed warming. The warm water advection and surface circulation during the observation period were anomalous compared to the normal pattern. The analysis further confirmed that warming caused a drastic reduction in sea-ice and chlorophyll in the Prydz Bay region. The study ascertains that regional oceanographic processes have significant implications on the sea-ice and biological productivity of the coastal waters of Antarctica.

了解南极洲沿海水域对于确定海冰系统对气候变化的响应至关重要。在这项研究中，我们使用水文数据提供了南方夏季普里兹湾异常变暖 (>1 °C) 的观测证据。尽管变暖集中在 68°S, 74°E，但在 Amery 冰架附近也发现了较温暖的海水。该研究使用卫星和重新分析数据进一步探讨了这种异常变暖的原因和影响。有人提出，在 72°E 和 75°E 之间，向普里兹湾大陆架区域的较暖水域平流是混合层变暖的主要驱动因素。地表热通量在观测到的变暖中起微弱的作用。观测期间的温水平流和地表环流与正常模式相比异常。分析进一步证实，变暖导致普里兹湾地区的海冰和叶绿素急剧减少。该研究确定区域海洋学过程对南极洲沿海水域的海冰和生物生产力具有重大影响。