Press Herald Quotes Xue in Article on Portland Harbor’s Icy Buildup

Huijie Xue, an oceanography professor at the University of Maine, was quoted in a Portland Press Herald article about Portland Harbor’s icy buildup and the problems it creates for sea travel. Portland is normally an ice-free port because the Gulf of Maine has strong tides, according to the article. Xue said the tides mix the water column and bring deeper, warmer water to the surface along the coast. The tidal river carries little fresh water into the harbor during the winter, making the salt content in harbor water similar to that in the ocean. But recent heavy snowfalls have brought more fresh water into the harbor, making it more likely to freeze, the article states.