On Apr 23, 12:38*pm, smallbabe wrote:
On Apr 20, 10:48*pm, wrote:

Yes I know its a weather NG but be fair, others post about these
topics all the time,

Anyhow it would seem the Arctic ice extent is at its greatest on this
date for eight years!

Have a look for yourself

http://www.ijis.iarc.uaf.edu/en/home/seaice_extent.htm.

Okay there will be the 'its first year ice ' comments and such but
lets be honest about the ice, rumours of its death seem to have been
greatly exaggerated.

why is this "good news"?

A lot of marine life depends on the ice for food. Tjhe ice is a
conduit for light and an anchor for vegetation. Algae perhaps. I
forget.

The krill feed on the algae and the whales feed on the krill. I'm not
sure of the chain but it must include the ability of the system to
replenish fish stocks for feeding the seals that are so beloved of
Canadian clubs and Polar bears.

The ice also serves to contain the oxygen and carbon dioxide given off
by the plankton and algae and etc., so the waters are rich in
dissolved gasses. Suphite fallout and especially any iron rich ores,
may dribble through the ice over a longer time span than would be the
case were a volcano to oblige in the absence of ice cover.

But the best news is that the more difficult the NW passage becomes,
the less time and effort will go into ruining it by overfishing.