4 publishers · first seen Wed, 28 Oct 2026 10:00 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 22:20 UTC
Scientists have observed a rapid decline in Antarctic sea ice since 2016, leading to a significant increase in salinity within the Antarctic Intermediate Water, a layer between 2,300 and 4,000 feet deep that circulates around Antarctica and spreads northward. This shift reverses decades of freshening and may affect global ocean circulation, heat distribution, and climate patterns. Data from Argo floats and other sources show that reduced sea ice has decreased freshwater input during melt seasons, making the water saltier and altering its density and circulation. Researchers, including Bishakhdatta Gayen and Michael Meredith, warn the changes could influence storm frequency, ocean heat redistribution, and global climate within years to decades. The Southern Ocean's role in absorbing carbon dioxide and reprocessing deep waters amplifies the potential impact.
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