Over the past five years, Antarctica has lost about one million square kilometers of sea ice. This can seriously affect the global marine ecosystem.
The researchers studied satellite images and meteorological data, starting from the seventies of the last century. Their analysis suggests that Antarctica has lost a third of summer ice in the Weddell sea. This area can be compared with the area equal the territory of the two Spains. Scientists believe that the largest ice loss has occurred in the summer season 2016-2017, when the region was recorded a number of adverse weather events.
Scientists pay attention to the fact that melting ice is not only for the Arctic. At the South pole there are such dramatic processes. According to John Turner of the British Arctic service, sea ice in Antarctica has increased since the seventies, but then abruptly began to decline. Such losses will affect ocean circulation and marine fauna of the region. For animals, including penguins and seals, the ice plays an important role in their reproduction and access to food.