基于2002年-2011年AMSR-E海冰密集度数据, 分析了北极海冰的时空变化特征及其原因。结果表明海冰外缘线面积每年减小8.28×10⁴ km², 下降趋势最快的季节为夏季, 下降速度是1979年-2006年的两倍多, 而且海冰密集度也在降低。2003年、2004年的冰情相对较重, 2007年海冰面积最小。长期冰在2002年-2010年间减少了近30%, 减少的区域主要在波弗特海、楚科奇海、东西伯利亚海、拉普贴夫海、喀拉海以及由这些边缘海向北极方向延伸的北冰洋的广大区域, 长期冰减少的地方大部分为季节性海冰增加的地方。海冰面积与年平均气温之间有显著的负相关关系, 随着全球气候变暖的加剧, 这种减小趋势将会持续。

The significant decline of Arctic sea ice under global warming, especially in summer, plays an important role in global and regional climate change, and affects global and regional ecosystems. Here, the spatio-temporal variations of Arctic sea ice and their causes were analyzed based on satellite microwave AMSR-E data for June 2002 through February 2011. The results showed that the extent of Arctic sea ice decreased by 82800 km² annually, decreasing most rapidly in summer. The rate of decrease in summer for the period 2002-2011 was more than twice that of 1979-2006; moreover, sea ice concentration also decreased. The sea ice conditions were heavy in 2003 and 2004, while 2007 experienced a minimal sea ice area. Perennial sea ice decreased approximately 30% between 2002 and 2011 with decreases occurring in the Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Laptev Sea, Kara Sea, and over the vast area from these marginal seas to the Arctic Ocean. Increases in seasonal sea ice occurred in regions where perennial sea ice decreased. The sea ice area has a significant negative relationship with the annual average temperature, and the decrease trend will continue with global warming intensification.