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Ice core evidence for Antarctic sea ice decline since the 1950s
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 17:46 authored by Mark Curran, Tasman van OmmenTasman van Ommen, Morgan, VI, Phillips, KL, Palmer, ASThe instrumental record of Antarctic sea ice in recent decades does not reveal a clear signature of warming despite observational evidence from coastal Antarctica. Here we report a significant correlation (P < 0.002) between methanesulphonic acid (MSA) concentrations from a Law Dome ice core and 22 years of satellite-derived sea ice extent (SIE) for the 80°E to 140°E sector. Applying this instrumental calibration to longer term MSA data (1841 to 1995 A.D.) suggests that there has been a 20% decline in SIE since about 1950. The decline is not uniform, showing large cyclical variations, with periods of about 11 years, that confuse trend detection over the relatively short satellite era.
History
Publication title
ScienceVolume
302Issue
5648Pagination
1203-1206ISSN
0036-8075Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
American Association Advancement SciencePlace of publication
Washington, USARights statement
Copyright 2003 The AuthorsRepository Status
- Restricted