On the decrease of Arctic sea ice volume

The decrease of Arctic sea ice volume is investigated using a dynamic-therm odynamic sea ice model. The model was forced with NCEP/NCAR reanalysis wind s and surface air temperatures in a hindcast simulation of the period 1958- 1998. The simulation reveals pronounced decadal variability (10-12 years) a long with a significant linear negative trend of total Arctic sea ice volum e which amounts to -4%/decade, The decrease is apparent throughout the annu al cycle with largest amplitudes from September to December. Regionally the strongest thinning of ice thickness occurs in the East Siberian Sea with m agnitudes up to -30cm/decade. The simulation also reveals some positive tre nds in the? Baffin Bay/Labrador Sea and north of the Canadian Archipelago.