Both Arctic and Antarctic seas have polynyas: areas of open water surrounded by sea ice that persist throughout the year. Polynyas provide year-round access to light which, combined with the resuspension of nutrients, extends the normally short arctic
What ocean has Polynas like North water?
Named the "North Water" by 19th century whalers who relied on it for spring passage, this polynya is one of the most biologically productive marine areas in the Arctic Ocean.
Can polynyas be found in the Arctic ocean?
There are two main types of polynyas: coastal polynyas, which can be found year-round near the Antarctic and Arctic coasts and are mainly created by strong winds pushing the ice away from the coast, and mid-sea or open-ocean polynyas, which may be found more sporadically in the middle of ice pack in certain locations, ...
