Heat balance at the surface of the Artic Ocean

A resume of available data on the components of the heat budget of the Arctic Ocean surface shows that radiative interchange with environment is the dominant factor. The presence or absence of an ice cover influences the nature of this interchange and also the relative importance of evaporation to the budget. On the basis of these figures a conjecture is made as to the cause of events in the artificial removal of the ice cover. It is shown that the ice would re-establish itself under presently existing conditions.In discussion Mr. Clarence Pederson points out the advantages of measuring the heat balance in the Arctic Ocean, and mentions possibilities of using the theory and instrumentation for snow melt problems in reservoir control of downstream water temperatures.