About Mike Steele

Mike Steele is interested in the large-scale circulation of sea ice and water in the Arctic Ocean. He uses observations collected by in situ sensors and by satellites, as well as numerical model simulations to investigate time and space variations in sea ice and ocean properties. His analysis of ocean observations has focused on the upper layers, which are generally quite cold and fresh.

One recent research topic is the effects of sea ice retreat on the properties of the upper Arctic Ocean. Specifically, he is looking at the warming of the upper ocean during summer. How much of this warming is due to local atmospheric heating, and how much from heating by northward-flowing ocean currents? How much of this summer heat can survive through the following fall and winter? What is the effect of this heat on the overlying sea ice cover? Dr. Steele is also collaborating with biological oceanographers to better understand how changes in ocean salinity and temperature are affecting arctic plankton and thus the marine ecosystem. Dr. Steele has active field programs in which data are collected in the field by his team and others, using aircraft, ships, and autonomous sensors like buoys and profiling floats. He is also involved with efforts to improve computer models of the arctic marine system, via the Consortium for the Advancement of Marine Arctic Science, or CAMAS.

Funding for his research comes from the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Office of Naval Research, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). He is involved with many “outreach” programs such as lectures to K-12 and college students. Dr. Steele has been with the Polar Science Center since 1987.

• Doherty, S., M. Steele, I. Rigor, and S. G. Warren, Interannual variations of light-absorbing particles in snow on Arctic sea ice, J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 120, doi:10.1002/2015JD024018, 2015.

• Doherty, S., M. Steele, I. Rigor, and S. G. Warren, Springtime light-absorbing particles in snow north of Greenland 2008-2013, J. Geophys. Res., 120, doi:10.1002/2015JD024018, 2015.

• Kawaguchi, Y., M. Steele, K. Colburn, S. Nishino, and K. Oshima, Upper Ocean Heat Observation using UpTempO buoys during RV Mirai Arctic cruise MR14-05, JAMSTEC Rep. Res. Dev., 21, 1-6, doi:10.5918/jamstecr.21.1, non-reviewed, 2015.

• Bieniek, P.A., U.S. Bhatt, D.A. Walker, M.K. Raynolds, J.C. Comiso, H.E. Epstein, J.E. Pinzon, C.J. Tucker, R.L. Thoman, H. Tran, N. Mölders, M. Steele, J. Zhang, and W. Ermold, Climate drivers linked to changing seasonality of Alaska coastal tundra vegetation productivity. Earth Interactions, 19, No. 19, 2015.

• Zhang, J., A. Schweiger, M. Steele, and H. Stern, Sea ice floe size distribution in the marginal ice zone: Theory and numerical experiments, J. Geophys. Res. Oceans, 120, doi:10.1002/2015JC010770, 2015.

• Steele, M., S. Dickinson, J. Zhang, and R.W. Lindsay, Seasonal ice loss in the Beaufort Sea: Toward synchrony and prediction, J. Geophy. Res., 120, 1118-1132, doi:10.1002/2014JC010247, 2015.

• Zhang, J., C. Ashjian, R. Campbell, Y.H. Spitz, M. Steele, and V. Hill, The influence of sea ice and snow cover and nutrient availability on the formation of massive under-ice phytoplankton blooms in the Chukchi Sea, Deep-Sea Res. II, 118, 122-135, doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2015.02.008, 2015.

• Zhang, J., C. Ashjian, R. Campbell, V. Hill, Y.H. Spitz, and M. Steele, The great 2012 Arctic Ocean summer cyclone enhanced biological productivity on the shelves, J. Geophys. Res. Oceans, 119, 297–312, doi:10.1002/2013JC009301, 2014.

• Martin, T., M. Steele, and J. Zhang, Seasonality and long-term trend of Arctic Ocean surface stress in a model, J. Geophy. Res., 119, 1723-1738, doi:10.1002/2013JC009425, 2014.

• Clement Kinney, J., W. Maslowski, Y. Aksenov, B. de Cuevas, J. Jakacki, A. Nguyen, R. Osinski, M. Steele, R. A. Woodgate, and J. Zhang, On the flow through Bering Strait: A synthesis of model results and observations, Chapter 7, in The Pacific Arctic Region: Ecosystem Status and Trends in a Rapidly Changing Environment, J. M. Grebmeier and W. Maslowski (eds.), doi:10.1007/978-94-017-8863-2_7, 2014.

• Jackson, J. M., C. Lique, M. Alkire, M. Steele, C. M. Lee, W. M. Smethie, and P. Schlosser, The origin of waters that flow through Nares Strait, Arctic Ocean, from 1991-2010, Cont. Shelf Res., 73, doi:10.1016/j.csr.2013.11.025, 2014.

• Lique, C., J. Guthrie, M. Steele, A. Proshutinsky, J. H. Morison, and R. Krishfield, Diffusive vertical heat flux in the Canada Basin of the Arctic Ocean inferred from moored instruments, J. Geophys. Res., 119, doi:10.1002/2013JC009346, 2014.

• Timmermans, M.-L., I. Ashik, I. Frolov, H. K. Ha, R. Ingvaldsen, T. Kikuchi, T. W. Kim, R. Krishfield, H. Loeng, S. Nishino, R. Pickart, I. Polyakov, B. Rabe, U. Schauer, P. Schlosser, W. M. Smethie, V. Sokolov, M. Steele, J. Toole, W. Williams, R. Woodgate, and S. Zimmermann, The Arctic, g. Ocean temperature and salinity [in “State of the Climate 2013”], Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 95(7), S128-132, 2014.

• De Steur, L., M. Steele, E. Hansen, J. Morison, I. Polyakov, S. M. Olsen, H. Melling, F. A. McLaughlin, R. Kwok, W. M. Smethie Jr., and P. Schlosser, Hydrographic changes in the Lincoln Sea in the Arctic Ocean with focus on an upper ocean freshwater anomaly between 2007 and 2010, J. Geophys. Res., 118, 4699–4715, doi:10.1002jgrc.20341, 2013.

• Lique, C., and M. Steele, Seasonal to decadal variability of Arctic Ocean heat content: A model-based analysis and implications for autonomous observing systems, J. Geophys. Res., 118, doi:10.1002/jgrc.20127, 2013.

• Hill, V. J., P. A. Matrai, E. Olson, S. Suttles, M. Steele, L.A. Codispoti, R. C. Zimmerman, Synthesis of integrated primary production in the Arctic Ocean: II. In situ and remotely sensed estimates, Prog. in Oceanogr., 110, doi:10.1016/j.pocean.2012.11.005, 2013.

• Matrai, P.A., E. Olson, S. Suttles, V.J. Hill, L.A. Codispoti, B. Light, and M. Steele, Synthesis of primary production in the Arctic Ocean: I. Surface waters, 1954-2007, Prog. in Oceanogr., 110, doi:10.1016/j.pocean.2012.11.004, 2013.

• Codispoti, L.A., V. Kelly, A. Thessen, P. Matrai, S. Suttles, V. Hill, M. Steele, and B. Light, Synthesis of primary production in the Arctic Ocean: III. Nitrate and phosphate based estimates of net community production, Prog. Oceanogr., 110, doi:10.1016/j.pocean.2012.11.006, 2013.

• Zhang, J., R. Lindsay, A. Schweiger, and M. Steele, The impact of an intense summer cyclone on 2012 Arctic sea ice retreat, Geophys. Res. Lett, 40, doi:10.1002/grl.50190, 2013.

• Timmermans, M.-L., A. Proshutinsky,  I. Ashik, Y. Cao, I. Frolov, R. Ingvaldsen, T. Kikuchi, R. Krishfield, H. Loeng, S. Nishino, R. Pickart, B. Rabe, I. Semiletov, U. Schauer, P. Schlosser, N. Shakhova, W.M. Smethie, V. Sokolov, M. Steele, J. Su, J. Toole, W. Williams, R. Woodgate, J. Zhao, and S. Zimmermann, The Arctic, c. Ocean [in “State of the Climate 2012”], Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 94(8), S128-130, 2013.

• Meinig, C., M. Steele, and K. Wood, Taking the Temperature Of the Arctic With UMVs, Sea Technol., 53, 23-33, non-reviewed, 2012.

• Morison, J., R. Kwok, C. Peralta-Ferriz, M. Alkire, I. Rigor, R. Andersen, and M. Steele, Changing Arctic Ocean Freshwater Pathways Measured With ICESat and GRACE, Nature, 481, 66-70, doi:10.1038/nature10705, 2012.

• Lique, C. and M. Steele, Where can we find a seasonal cycle of the Atlantic water temperature within the Arctic Basin?, J. Geophys. Res., 117, C3, doi:10.1029/2011JC007612, 2012.

• Popova, E. E., A. Yool, A. C. Coward, F. Dupont, C. Deal, S. Elliott, E. Hunke, M. Jin, M. Steele, J. Zhang, What controls primary production in the Arctic Ocean? Results from an ecosystem model intercomparison, J. Geophys. Res., 117, doi:10.1029/2011JC007112, 2012.

• Hill, V. J., P. A. Matrai, E. Olson, S. Suttles, M. Steele, L. A. Codispoti, R. Zimmerman, Synthesis of primary production in the Arctic Ocean: II.  In situ and remotely sensed integrated estimates, 1999-2007, Prog. Oceanogr., doi:10.1016/j.pocean.2012.11.005, 2012.

• Proshutinsky, A., M.-L. Timmermans, I. Ashik, A. Beszczynska-Moeller, E. Carmack, I. Frolov, R. Ingvaldsen, M. Itoh, T. Kikuchi, R. Krishfield, H. Loeng, F. McLaughlin, S. Nishino, R. Pickart, B. Rabe, B. Rudels, I. Semiletov, U. Schauer, N. Shakhova, K. Shimada, V. Sokolov, M. Steele, J. Toole, T. Weingartner, W. Williams, R. Woodgate, M. Yamamoto-Kawai, and S. Zimmermann, The Arctic, c. Ocean [in “State of the Climate in 2011”], Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 2012.

• Schweiger, A., R. Lindsay, J. Zhang, M. Steele, H. Stern, R. Kwok, Uncertainty in modeled arctic sea ice volume, J. Geophys. Res., 116, C00D06, doi:10.1029/2011JC007084, 2011.

• Proshutinsky, A., Y. Aksenov, J. Clement-Kinney, R. Gerdes, E. Golubeva, D. Holland, G. Holloway, A. John, M. Johnson, E. Popova, M. Steele, and E. Watanabe, Recent advances in Arctic Ocean studies employing models from the Arctic Ocean Model Intercomparison Project, Oceanography, 24(3), 102-113, doi:10.5670/oceanog.2011.61, 2011.

• Steele, M., W. Ermold, and J. Zhang, Modeling the formation and fate of the near-surface temperature maximum in the Canadian Basin of the Arctic Ocean, J. Geophys. Res., 116, C11015, doi:10.1029/2010JC006803, 2011.

• J.M. Jackson, C. Lique, M. Alkire, M. Steele, C.M. Lee, W.M. Smethie, and P. Schlosser: The hydrography of the North Ellesmere Shelf, Lincoln Sea, Arctic Ocean, from 1991-2011, Journal of Geophysical Research, under review, 2011.

• Proshutinsky, A., M.-L. Timmermans, I. Ashik, A. Beszczynska-Moeller, E. Carmack, I. Frolov, M. Itoh, T. Kikuchi, R. Krishfield, F. McLaughlin, S. Nishino, B. Rabe, U. Schauer, K. Shimada, V. Sokolov, M. Steele, J. Toole, and W. Williams, R. Woodgate, M. Yamamoto-Kawai, Z. Zimmermann, The Arctic, c. Ocean [in “State of the Climate in 2010”], Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 92 (6), S145-148, 2011.

• Polyakov, I.V., et al., incl. M. Steele, Arctic Ocean warming contributes to reduced polar ice cap, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 40, 2743-2756, doi:10.1175/2010JPO4339.1, 2010.

• Steele, M., J. Zhang, and W. Ermold, Mechanisms of summertime upper Arctic Ocean warming and the effect on sea ice melt, J. Geophys. Res., 115, C11004, doi:10.1029/2009JC005849, 2010.

• Rawlins, M.A., M. Steele, M.M. Holland, J.C. Adam., J.E. Cherry, J.A. Francis, P.Y. Groisman, L.D. Hinzman, T.G. Huntington, D.L. Kane, J.S. Kimball, R. Kwok, R.B. Lammers, C.M. Lee, D.P. Lettenmaier, K.C. McDonald, E. Podest, J.W. Pundsack, B. Rudels, M.C. Serreze, A. Shiklomanov, O. Skagseth, T.J. Troy, C.J. Vorosmarty, M. Wensnahan, E.F. Wood, R. Woodgate, D.Yang, K. Zhang, T. Zhang, Analysis of the Arctic System for Freshwater Cycle Intensification: Observations and Expectations, J. Climate, 23, 5715-5737, doi:10.1175/2010JCLI3421.1, 2010. 

• Zhang, J., Y.H. Spitz, M. Steele, C. Ashjian, R. Campbell, L. Berline, and P. Matrai, Modeling the impact of declining sea ice on the arctic marine planktonic ecosystem, J. Geophys. Res., 115, C10015, doi:10.1029/2009JC005387, 2010.

• Vorosmarty, C, J., A. D. McGuire, J. Hobbie, et al., including M. Steele, Scaling Studies in Arctic System Science and Policy Support, U.S. Arctic Research Commission, non-reviewed, 2010.

• Zhang, J.L., M. Steele, and A. Schweiger, Arctic sea ice response to atmospheric forcings with varying levels of anthropogenic warming and climate variability, Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L20505, doi:10.1029/2010gl044988, 2010.

• Laidre, K. L., M. P. Heide-Jørgensen, W. Ermold, and M. Steele, Narwhals document continued warming of Baffin Bay, J. Geophys. Res., 115: C10049, doi:10.1029/2009JC005820, 2010.

• Proshutinsky, A., M.-L. Timmermans, I. Ashik, A. Beszczynska-Moeller, E. Carmack, I. Frolov, R. Krishfield, F. McLaughlin, J. Morison, I. Polyakov, K. Shimada, V. Sokolov, M. Steele, J. Toole, and R. Woodgate, The Arctic, c. Ocean [in “State of the Climate in 2009”], Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 91 (6), S85-87, 2010.

• Kwok, R., S. Farrell, R. Forsberg, K. Giles, S. Laxon, D. McAdoo, J. Morison, L. Padman, C. Peralta-Ferriz, A. Proshutinsky, and M. Steele, Combining satellite altimetry, time-variable gravity, and bottom pressure observations to understand the Arctic Ocean: A transformative opportunity, in Hall, J., D. E. Harrison and D. Stammer (eds.) Proc. of the “OceanObs09: Sustained Ocean Observations and Information for Society” Conference (Vol. 2), Venice, Italy, 21-25 September 2009, ESA Publication WPP-306, [Refereed], doi:10.5270/OceanObs09.cwp.50, 2010.

• Hill, V.J., P.A. Matrai; E. Olson; S. Suttle; M. Steele; L. Codispoti; R. Zimmerman, Synthesis of primary production in the Arctic Ocean: II. In situ and remotely sensed integrated estimates, 1999-2007,  Progress in Oceanography (110) 107:125, doi:10.1016/j.pocean.2012.11.005, 2010.

• Francis, J.A., D.M. White, J.J. Cassano, W.J. Gutowski Jr., L.D. Hinzman, M.M. Holland, M.A. Steele, and C.J. Vörösmarty, An arctic hydrologic system in transition: Feedbacks and impacts on terrestrial, marine, and human life, J. Geophys. Res., 114, G04019, doi:10.1029/2008JG000902, 2009.

• Rawlins, M.A., M. Steele, M.C. Serreze, C.J. Vörösmarty, W. Ermold, R.B. Lammers, K.C. McDonald, T.M. Pavelsky, A. Shiklomanov, and J. Zhang, Tracing freshwater anomalies through the air‐land‐ocean system: A case study from the Mackenzie river basin and the Beaufort Gyre, Atmos. Ocean, 47(1), 79–97, doi:10.3137/OC301.2009, 2009.

• McPhee, M. G., A. Proshutinsky, J. H. Morison, M. Steele, and M. B. Alkire, Rapid change in freshwater content of the Arctic Ocean, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L10602, doi:10.1029/2009GL037525, 2009.

• Schweiger, A.J., J. Zhang, R.W. Lindsay, and M. Steele, Did unusually sunny skies help drive the record sea ice minimum of 2007?, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L10503, doi:10.1029/2008gl033463, 2008.

• Proshutinsky, A., R. Gerdes, D. Holland, G. Holloway and M. Steele, AOMIP: Coordinated activities to improve models and model predictions, CLIVAR Exchanges, 13(1), (Exchanges; 44), 17, upublished manuscript, 2008. 

• Zhang, J., M. Steele, and R. Woodgate, The role of Pacific water in the dramatic retreat of arctic sea ice during summer 2007, J. Polar Science, 19(2), 93-107, 2008.

• Zhang J., M. Steele, R. Lindsay, A. Schweiger, J. Morison, Ensemble 1-Year predictions of Arctic sea ice for the spring and summer of 2008, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L08502, doi:10.1029/2008GL033244.

• Zhang, J., R. Lindsay, M. Steele, and A. Schweiger, What Drove the Dramatic Retreat of Arctic Sea Ice During Summer 2007?, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L11505, doi:10.1029/2008GL034005, 2008.

• Steele, M., W. Ermold, and J. Zhang, Arctic Ocean surface warming trends over the past 100 years, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L02614, doi:10.1029/2007GL031651, 2008.