Polynya

Quick meaning: Polynya is a noun meaning (hydrology, oceanography) A naturally formed transient area of open water surrounded by sea ice, especially in polar or subpolar seas.

Meaning

(hydrology, oceanography) A naturally formed transient area of open water surrounded by sea ice, especially in polar or subpolar seas.

Example Sentences

Below the glacier, within the polynya, two rivers flow, a river of salt and a river of earth.

Dr. [Ian] Stirling pointed out that colonies of nesting sea-birds were an indicator of permanent polynias and that the productivity studies in such polynias might prove interesting.

Researchers now plan to compare their routes with satellite images and see whether the owls stayed around the polynas, where snowy owls have been seen, picking off eiders swimming in the open water.

We immediately ascended a hill, and saw that the supposed land was nothing but hummocks of ice, piled up beyond a large Polynia, or space of open water, which extended from east to west, as far as the eye could reach.

Word Forms

• polynyas
• polynyi
• polyna
• polynia

Synonyms for polynya

Depending on context, synonyms include glade.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include polygonboden, watersky, playa, subnivium, pogonip, ice-out.

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