The Arctic ice and the carbon dioxide

In 2004-2005, Russian polar explorers measured for the first time the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere in different seasons at the SP-33 and SP-34 floating stations. Specialists of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, analysed results of these measurements and came to the conclusion that seasonal fluctuations in the CO2 concentration depended on sea ice growth and thawing.

There is continuous carbon dioxide exchange between the atmosphere and the World Ocean. The CO2 atmospheric concentration changes depending on the season: it is higher in winter and it is lower in summer. When calculating the CO2 balance, the specialists normally did not take into account the role of the Arctic basin, as they assumed that the ice cover almost completely impedes gaseous exchange. However, the most intense seasonal fluctuations are recorded by meteorologists particularly in high latitudes, especially in the area where sea ice is wide spread. According to the St. Petersburg researchers, sea ice significantly impacts the seasonal cycle formation.

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