Changes in Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Ice Concentration in the Arctic Ocean over the Past Two Decades

With global warming, the decrease in sea ice creates favorable conditions for Arctic activities. Sea surface temperature (SST) is not only an important driven factor of concentration (SIC) changes but also medium ocean–atmosphere interaction. However, response to varies different areas. Using optimal interpolated SST data from National Centers Environmental Information (NCEI) and SIC University Bremen, temporal spatial characteristics above 60°N their relationship are studied, melting freezing time calculated, which particularly prediction shipping ice. The results show that (1) highest lowest monthly mean occur August March, respectively, while those March September. maximum trends autumn, +0.01 °C/year −0.45%/year, respectively. (2) There a significant negative correlation between with coefficient −0.82. (3) break-up occurs on Day Year (DoY) 143 freeze-up DoY 296 Arctic. processes lasted 27 days 14 days, (4) Kara showed strongest trend at −1.22 d/year, followed by Laptev −1.17 d/year. delay was most +1.75 +1.70 In Arctic, toward earlier smaller than later freezing.