Significant reductions in Arctic sea ice extent, concentration and thickness have been consistently observed over recent decades. Whilst Antarctic sea ice extent remained relatively stable until 2016-2017, the subsequent period has been characterised by a marked decline and increased interannual variability, including several years of exceptionally low sea ice extent. These recent changes have raised questions about the mechanisms driving Antarctic sea ice variability and the extent to which the post-2016 decline represents a persistent shift or enhanced variability. Climate projections suggest continued reductions in sea ice cover at both poles, with the Arctic becoming seasonally ice-free during the latter half of this century.
The scientific community is investing considerable effort in consolidating our current knowledge of the physical and bio-geochemical properties of sea ice, improving our understanding of poorly understood sea ice processes, and forecasting future changes in sea ice cover, including through initiatives such as CMIP6.
In this session, we invite contributions addressing all aspects of sea ice science and sea ice–climate interactions in both the Arctic and Southern Ocean, including snow and sea ice thermodynamics and dynamics, sea ice–atmosphere and sea ice–ocean interactions, sea ice biological and chemical processes, remote sensing and field studies, related laboratory studies, and modelling. Contributions addressing emerging processes, feedbacks and their implications for sea ice and the wider climate system are particularly welcome.