Articles tagged with Sea Ice
A study analyzing Arctic tundra shrub-ring chronologies from 1979 to 2008 found that most shrubs experienced increased radial growth as Arctic sea ice declined. However, 39% of shrubs showed decreased growth, often at drier sites, suggesting changes in moisture availability constrain responses to warming temperatures.
Scientists have shown that abrupt climate change in the past was closely linked to rapid sea ice decline. The study documents how sudden warming of the climate occurred when sea ice cover changed from year-round to seasonal ice cover in Nordic seas.
A recent synthesis study has found that phytoplankton can bloom under Arctic sea ice, contrary to long-held assumptions. This discovery suggests that phytoplankton production in some regions of the Arctic Ocean may be an order of magnitude greater than previously predicted.
Researchers found unusually warm water and an active ecosystem in the Bering and Chukchi seas, defying late-season expectations. The discovery highlights delays in sea ice formation supporting late-season biological production, and shifts in benthic animals' biomass.
Scientists found that repeated strong atmospheric rivers played a crucial role in forming massive holes in sea ice. These holes can influence regional and global ocean circulation, affecting phytoplankton blooms and contributing to global sea-level rise.
A new study reveals that Arctic rivers contribute significantly more heat to the Arctic Ocean than in 1980, leading to up to 120,000 square miles of sea ice melt. This warming effect is accelerated by global air temperature rise and positive feedback loops.
A new climate modeling study simulates the dramatic impacts of accelerated Antarctic ice melt on future climate conditions. The research reveals that higher greenhouse gas emissions could slow warming around Antarctica, but may not prevent serious warming and sea level rise globally.
Researchers found that polar bears in Kane Basin are healthier due to thinning sea ice, which allows more sunlight to reach the ocean surface. The bears are also traveling further to find food, but their long-term survival is uncertain.
A new study reconstructed sea ice transported from the Arctic Ocean through the Fram Strait and into the North Atlantic Ocean over the last 1400 years. The reconstruction suggests that the Little Ice Age was triggered by an exceptionally large outflow of sea ice from the Arctic Ocean in the 1300s.
The Arctic has transitioned into a new climate state due to rapid warming, with sea ice extent dropping by 31% since the 1970s. The study found that even unusually cold years will no longer have the same amount of summer sea ice as in the mid-20th century.
Researchers have determined that the Bering Sea ice extent is at its most reduced state in the past 5,500 years. The study, published in Science Advances, analyzed a peat core from St. Matthew Island and found that modern sea ice conditions are unprecedentedly low.
Researchers found Arctic winter ice grew less than half as much as normal due to increased ocean heat from the interior. This weakening of the halocline barrier allows for more efficient mixing between warmer and colder waters, limiting sea ice growth.
A new study reveals nearly 20% more emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica, totaling 61 colonies worldwide. The discovery uses satellite images to locate the birds, which are vulnerable to climate change and loss of sea ice breeding habitat.
Researchers studied the decline of Arctic sea ice in 2018, finding it was three times higher than the initial loss during the satellite era. The study links this decline to global atmospheric processes and warns of catastrophic impacts on air temperatures and ocean circulation if the trend continues.
A recent scientific study describes the nursery of sea ice that formed off the New Siberian Islands in December 2018, which is now drifting through the Arctic. The research vessel Polarstern has been analyzing data from this unique floe, providing valuable insights into the interactions between ocean, ice, and atmosphere.
Researchers found that Adélie penguins in Antarctica prefer less sea ice due to its impact on their foraging habits. With less sea ice, they can dive more easily, reducing competition for prey and increasing their krill catch.
During an unusually ice-free season, Adélie penguins in East Antarctica covered more ground while swimming for prey, resulting in shorter dives and increased foraging success. This led to faster chick growth and increased body mass in adult males and females.
A new study found that seasonal growth and destruction of sea ice in the Southern Ocean enhances marine life present in the sea around Antarctica, sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. The researchers analyzed data from a period when atmospheric carbon dioxide levels plateaued at 240 ppm 14,600 years ago.
A new study found that seasonal growth and destruction of sea ice enhances marine life, drawing down carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the deep ocean. This process could provide a critical resource for developing future climate change models.
Researchers evaluated 40 climate models focusing on Antarctic sea ice, finding improvements in projections compared to previous models. The study sheds light on dynamics in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica, essential for understanding global climate changes.
Researchers discovered that sea-ice changes are the most probable cause for the cooling of surface waters in the Southern Ocean. Simulations show that stronger winds propelled sea ice into the open ocean, enhancing freshwater transport and creating a stratified seawater layer with reduced heat exchange.
A new study found that climate change could significantly reduce shorefast ice in Arctic communities, with potential declines of five to 44 days by 2100. The coldest regions are expected to experience the largest reductions, posing concerns for preserving polar ecosystems and local ways of life.
A new study reveals that plant materials from Arctic sea ice are incorporated into marine food webs, indicating the importance of sea ice ecosystems. The research shows a transition to more dependence on sea ice materials as coverage decreases, with long-term reserves of organic matter remaining accessible to seafloor animals.
A new study suggests that the Arctic Ocean will likely be ice-free in summer due to high future CO2 emissions. However, rapid reductions in CO2 emissions could lead to occasional ice-free summers even before 2050. The study's findings highlight humanity's impact on the Arctic ecosystem and climate.
A new study suggests the MOSAiC research team's ship may melt out months before its year-end goal due to rapid changes in Arctic sea ice. The team used climate models to simulate conditions along potential routes, finding that thinner sea ice and increased variability could lead to early melt-out.
New research from McGill University predicts a significant increase in Arctic sea ice movement by mid-century, leading to more widespread pollutant transport between neighboring countries. Thinner, faster-moving ice can carry pollutants and microplastics, posing a threat to Arctic waters.
A new study links Antarctic sea ice melt to warmer oceans, increased rainfall, and strengthened trade winds in the tropics. The research team found that a 0.5? (0.9?) warming of the surface ocean at the equator would lead to an additional 0.3 millimeters of rain per day.
Polar bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea are abandoning their traditional summer habitats due to shrinking sea ice. As a result, they must expend more energy to find food and access whale carcasses, potentially contributing to population declines.
Researchers propose that massive Arctic sea ice melting disrupted North Atlantic currents, causing abrupt climate change after the last Ice Age. Thick sea ice was found in early 19th-century expeditions and numerical models show it could have slowed ocean circulation and cooled climate.
A 784,000-year climate simulation reveals that Southern Ocean sea ice significantly reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide during glacial periods. By limiting surface water exposure and vertical mixing of deep ocean waters, sea ice drives a 40 ppm reduction in atmospheric CO2 levels.
A study published in PNAS reveals that Antarctic sea-ice played a crucial role in past climate transitions, storing extra carbon in the deep ocean and reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. Sea ice formation increases storage of carbon in the deep ocean, leading to a 30 ppm drawdown of atmospheric CO2.
Research shows polar bears are spending more time on land, thinner and adult females have fewer cubs. Sea ice availability affects their body condition and reproductive success.
A study using quahog clam shells and climate models reveals Arctic sea ice can't 'bounce back' if climate change causes it to melt. Human activity is now massively forcing the system, exacerbating warming and sea ice loss.
Researchers tested a radical geo-engineering approach using climate models and found that it could potentially delay Arctic sea ice decline by decades. However, the approach would not produce meaningful cooling effects globally or in lower latitudes. The study suggests that while 'ice management' is an interesting concept, it cannot me...
Cold waves triggered by Arctic sea ice loss are memorized in Eurasia, amplifying cooling in subsequent winters. The memory effect contributes to generating atmospheric circulation and advancing winter's arrival.
Researchers developed an image-processing algorithm to analyze satellite images of arctic ice floes, revealing long-term ocean movement dynamics. The technique improves understanding of sea ice transport, its interactions with ocean currents, and the impact on climate change.
New research reveals the last remaining Arctic ice refuge is disappearing due to increased ocean currents and atmospheric winds, with the oldest ice declining twice as fast as the rest. The Last Ice Area will soon be gone, threatening wildlife survival and potentially leading to the loss of species.
A team of scientists predicts that emperor penguin colonies will decline drastically due to global warming, with 5-6°C temperature increase leading to near-total collapse. Climate models show that sea ice melting will deprive the birds of habitat and food sources, threatening their survival.
A study found a significant reduction in Arctic surface albedo, primarily driven by decreased snow cover fraction accounting for 70% of the decline. Reduced sea-ice extent also contributed to the decrease, while soot deposits did not play a primary role.
A 15-year study links Arctic sea ice decline to the emergence of a deadly phocine distemper virus in northern sea otters and other marine mammals. The loss of sea ice facilitates disease transmission among species, highlighting the need for understanding PDV transmission in rapidly changing environments.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that Arctic sea ice reduction facilitates the spread of disease among marine mammals, particularly through open water routes. Widespread exposure to Phocine distemper virus (PDV) was observed in sea mammals across the North Pacific Ocean, peaking in 2003-2004 and again in 2009.
A new study suggests that emperor penguins in Antarctica are likely to decline by 86% by 2100 due to sea ice loss, with only a 5% chance of survival under the 1.5 degree Celsius scenario. The 'business as usual' scenario is even more dire, with nearly complete colony loss and extinction imminent.
A new study recommends that emperor penguin populations be listed as 'vulnerable' due to projected sea ice loss and rising temperatures. The researchers advocate for improved climate change forecasting and enhanced protection measures to safeguard the species.
The Antarctic ozone hole's decline has indirectly helped increase sea ice due to altered atmospheric and oceanic circulations. Ozone-induced changes impact sea surface temperatures and dynamics of sea ice.
A team of UAF researchers will spend a year on board the Polarstern, studying the intersection of ocean, sea ice, and atmosphere in the Arctic. They aim to understand why the Arctic is warming faster than any other region on the planet.
Aiming to limit warming to 1.5°C can maintain Arctic summer sea ice, forests, and coral reefs, with clear benefits for human health and economies. The authors emphasize the need for immediate and transformative actions in the next decade to achieve this goal.
A Rutgers-led study reveals a nearly five-fold increase in carbon dioxide absorption by surface waters off the West Antarctic Peninsula during summertime. Climate change is altering the Southern Ocean's ability to absorb CO2, which could magnify warming worldwide.
A new study predicts that the Arctic Ocean could be completely ice-free in September if global temperatures increase by as little as 2 degrees Celsius. This finding highlights the potential consequences of limiting warming to 2 degrees, a goal of the Paris Agreement.
New research reveals that reduced Arctic sea ice does not cause extreme cold winters, but rather is linked to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns. The correlation between reduced sea ice and cold winters occurs because both are driven by the same large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns.
Scientists have extended the record of Arctic sea ice thickness variability from 40 years to 110 years by using historic observations from ships' logs. This provides more context for understanding rapid changes in the Arctic Ocean and helps predict its future.
The University of Texas at San Antonio will develop a new interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Measurements in Extreme Environments (CAMEE) with a $3 million NASA grant. CAMEE will investigate extreme conditions such as ocean and polar warming, and study hypersonic speeds.
A new study reveals the Ross Ice Shelf's stability is influenced by local weather processes, with sunlight and fresh water from melting ice shelves contributing to rapid melting. The findings refine predictions of sea level rise in the future.
Over a 40-year period, Antarctic sea ice coverage increased gradually until 2014 before declining sharply between 2014 and 2017. This trend is more pronounced than observed in the Arctic over the same time frame, with implications for climate modeling and understanding.
Researchers have tweaked a nearly 100-year-old physics model to replicate modern Arctic ice melt patterns. The study captures the essential mechanism of pattern formation and demonstrates how melt water is distributed over sea ice, impacting albedo and light penetration.
A new study led by the University of Washington reveals that mysterious holes in Antarctic sea ice are caused by a combination of factors, including unusual ocean conditions and intense storms. The research sheds light on the role of these polynyas in global ocean currents and carbon cycles.
New study reveals extreme scale of sea-ice melting in Arctic, with only 20% of young ice reaching Transpolar Drift. This reduction affects nutrient and sediment transport, potentially impacting ecological processes and biogeochemical cycles.
Research reveals that sea ice loss in the Arctic causes rapid warming, which will persist even after melting is complete. The study suggests that this phenomenon is more pronounced during certain periods, particularly during cloud season, due to seasonal sea-ice melting and its impact on atmospheric heat transfer.
A new study predicts the Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in the summer as early as 2030, with climate models suggesting a shift towards an ice-free Arctic on the earlier side of forecasts. The study used long-term temperature cycles in the tropical Pacific to narrow the uncertainty range of when the first ice-free Arctic summer will occur.
A new study links sea ice loss in the Arctic to major climate events, including rapid warming of 16 degrees Celsius in Greenland. The research, published in PNAS, used ice cores and numerical model simulations to determine that sea ice changes played a critical role in past abrupt climate change events.
Researchers tracked juvenile Emperor penguins for up to 6 years, revealing they initially swim far north to learn how to dive before heading south to the sea ice zone. The study highlights the unique connection between diving behaviors and the thermocline layer in the ocean.