Fig.4 Interannual varialbility of sea surface temperature and salinity in the vicinity of ice edge off Alaska (73.5 - 76 oN, 145-155 oW) [Red framed area in Figure 2]

Sea surface temperature is in warming trend, and it's the highest value now since 2000. Simultaneously, surface salinity is in freshening trend. These oceanic data indicate the followings: 1) less ice condition enhances absorption of solar energy, 2) stored heat in the upper ocean is used for sea ice melt and 3) melt water decreases the upper ocean salinity.

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