Antarctic sea ice over the past 130 000 years -Part 2: A review of its role in the Earth system
- 1University of Tasmania (Hobart, Australia)
Abstract
Antarctic sea-ice cover reached historically low levels in 2023, consistent with the simulated decline in sea-ice extent in response to anthropogenic warming. As Antarctic sea ice is closely linked to multiple components of the Earth system, its demise could precipitate widespread, cascading changes across the cryosphere, atmosphere, and ocean. However, the nature and strength of these interconnections remain poorly understood and are often inadequately represented in models. In this review, we combine modern observations, models, and paleoclimate archives spanning the last glacial cycle to examine how reductions in sea ice may affect other components of the Earth system. We review how Antarctic sea ice interacts with ocean and atmosphere circulation, ice sheets and ice shelves, marine productivity, and the carbon cycle. We find evidence from theory and models that Antarctic sea ice exerts important influences on the Earth system. Paleo-proxy reconstructions provide examples in which changes in sea ice co-occur with changes in the carbon cycle, marine productivity, and ocean circulation. However, isolating the specific impact of sea ice remains challenging in such a highly interconnected system.
Versions
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BibTeX
@article{chase2026antarctic,
title = {{Antarctic sea ice over the past 130 000 years -Part 2: A review of its role in the Earth system}},
author = {Zanna Chase and Karen E. Kohfeld and Amy Leventer and David Lund and Xavier Crosta and Laurie Menviel and Helen C. Bostock and Matthew Chadwick and Samuel L. Jaccard and Jacob Jones and Alice Marzocchi and Katrin J. Meissner and Elisabeth Sikes and Louise C. Sime and Luke Skinner},
journal = {Climate of the Past},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.5194/cp-22-1881-2026},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05785615v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Antarctic sea ice over the past 130 000 years -Part 2: A review of its role in the Earth system
AU - Zanna Chase
AU - Karen E. Kohfeld
AU - Amy Leventer
AU - David Lund
AU - Xavier Crosta
AU - Laurie Menviel
AU - Helen C. Bostock
AU - Matthew Chadwick
AU - Samuel L. Jaccard
AU - Jacob Jones
AU - Alice Marzocchi
AU - Katrin J. Meissner
AU - Elisabeth Sikes
AU - Louise C. Sime
AU - Luke Skinner
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/08
JO - Climate of the Past
DO - 10.5194/cp-22-1881-2026
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05785615v1
AB - Antarctic sea-ice cover reached historically low levels in 2023, consistent with the simulated decline in sea-ice extent in response to anthropogenic warming. As Antarctic sea ice is closely linked to multiple components of the Earth system, its demise could precipitate widespread, cascading changes across the cryosphere, atmosphere, and ocean. However, the nature and strength of these interconnections remain poorly understood and are often inadequately represented in models. In this review, we combine modern observations, models, and paleoclimate archives spanning the last glacial cycle to examine how reductions in sea ice may affect other components of the Earth system. We review how Antarctic sea ice interacts with ocean and atmosphere circulation, ice sheets and ice shelves, marine productivity, and the carbon cycle. We find evidence from theory and models that Antarctic sea ice exerts important influences on the Earth system. Paleo-proxy reconstructions provide examples in which changes in sea ice co-occur with changes in the carbon cycle, marine productivity, and ocean circulation. However, isolating the specific impact of sea ice remains challenging in such a highly interconnected system.
SN - 1814-9324
SN - 1814-9332
ER -