Variability of antarctic sea ice and changes in carbon dioxide
A definitive long-term decrease in the extent of antarctic sea ice is not detectable from 9 years (1973 to 1981) of year-round satellite observations and limited prior data. Regional interannual variability is large, with sea ice decreasing in some regions while increasing in others. A significant decrease in overall ice extent during the mid-1970's, previously suggested to reflect warming induced by carbon dioxide, has not been maintained. In particular, the extent of ice in the Weddell Sea region has rebounded after a large decrease concurrent with a major oceanographic anomaly, the Weddell polynya. Over the 9 years, the trends are nearly the same in all seasons, but for periods of 3 to 5 years, greater winter ice maxima are associated with lesser summer ice minima. The decrease of the mid-1970's was preceded by an increase in ice extent from 1966 to 1972, further indicating the presence of cyclical components of variation that obscure any long-term trends that might be caused by a warming induced by carbon dioxide. 8 figures, 1 table.
- Research Organization:
- NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
- OSTI ID:
- 5821767
- Journal Information:
- Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 220:4601; ISSN SCIEA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
ANTARCTICA
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CLIMATES
COASTAL WATERS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ICE
MICRORADIOGRAPHY
MONITORING
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLAR REGIONS
RELIABILITY
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SEAWATER
SURFACE WATERS
VARIATIONS
WATER