30-Year Satellite Record Reveals Contrasting Arctic and Antarctic Decadal Sea Ice Variability

摘要: A 30-year satellite record of sea ice extents derived mostly from microwave radiometer observations reveals that the Arctic extent decreased by 0.30+0.03 x 10(exp 6) square kilometers per 10 yr 1972 through 2002, but 0.36 plus or minus 0.05 10yr 1979 indicating an acceleration 20% in rate decrease. In contrast, Antarctic dramatically over period 1973-1977, then gradually increased. Over full period, 0.15 0.08 yr. The trend reversal is attributed to a large positive anomaly early 1970's, apparently began late 1960's, as observed visible and infrared images.