As seawater around Antarctica becomes saltier, it appears to be leading to a faster melting of the region's sea ice, according to a study published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This research, led by Dr. Alessandro Silvano from the University of Southampton, shows that higher salinity near the ocean surface could account for the noticeable decline in Antarctic sea ice over the last decade, which marks a shift from prior years of growth.
"The repercussions of Antarctic ice changes are significant regarding sea-level rise and the broader context of climate change," said Dr. Silvano. He added that the findings suggest we are transitioning into “a new world” with different climatological dynamics.
Each year, the Earth's polar oceans experience a seasonal cycle where sea ice melts during summer and refreezes in winter—this process is crucial as the ice reflects solar heat back into space. Up until the late 1970s, Antarctic sea ice had been stable or increasing, contrasting sharply with rapid decreases seen in the Arctic. This raises concerns about the long-term impacts on climate systems.
Utilizing satellite data, the team monitored salinity fluctuations using brightness readings, a method that would have faced limitations in earlier years due to noise from other variables. The team initially approached the rising salinity readings with skepticism, suspecting a possible error in the data, but subsequent measurements validated their findings, confirming the trend of increasing salinity and decreasing ice mass around Antarctica.
"The repercussions of Antarctic ice changes are significant regarding sea-level rise and the broader context of climate change," said Dr. Silvano. He added that the findings suggest we are transitioning into “a new world” with different climatological dynamics.
Each year, the Earth's polar oceans experience a seasonal cycle where sea ice melts during summer and refreezes in winter—this process is crucial as the ice reflects solar heat back into space. Up until the late 1970s, Antarctic sea ice had been stable or increasing, contrasting sharply with rapid decreases seen in the Arctic. This raises concerns about the long-term impacts on climate systems.
Utilizing satellite data, the team monitored salinity fluctuations using brightness readings, a method that would have faced limitations in earlier years due to noise from other variables. The team initially approached the rising salinity readings with skepticism, suspecting a possible error in the data, but subsequent measurements validated their findings, confirming the trend of increasing salinity and decreasing ice mass around Antarctica.
