Thinner and saltier ice is replacing thicker perennial Arctic sea ice

Researchers including Son Nghiem of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., have found that the thicker perennial Arctic sea ice is rapidly being replaced by thinner and saltier ice that is causing the "bromine explosion" i.e. bromine reaction resulting in the mercury pollution in the atmosphere.

"Shrinking summer sea ice has drawn much attention to exploiting Arctic resources and improving maritime trading routes," Nghiem said.

"But the change in sea ice composition also has impacts on the environment," he said. "Changing conditions in the Arctic might increase bromine explosions in the future.”

This research has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Geophysical Research- Atmospheres. 

Source:
SayPeople

Via:
NASA