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Story summary
- The Antarctic sea ice has declined sharply since 2016, reaching record lows due to stronger winds and warming deep ocean water.
- Winds disrupted protective cold-water layers, allowing warmer water to melt ice.
- Wind-driven upwelling intensified between 2014 and 2016, causing significant ice loss in the Weddell Sea.
- The decline may affect sea-ice dependent species and could influence the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, impacting Europe’s climate.
