The latest data presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting suggests Arctic ice is no longer showing a robust recovery from the summer melt.
Scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) found that the ice system could be being weakened to such a degree by global warming that it soon accelerates its own decline.
As the ice retreats, the ocean transports more heat to the Arctic and the open water absorbs more sunlight, further accelerating the rate of warming and leading to the loss of more ice," explained Dr Marika Holland.
"This is a positive feedback loop with dramatic implications for the entire Arctic region."
Eventually, she said, the system would be "kicked over the edge", probably not even by a dramatic event but by one year slighter warmer than normal. Very rapid retreat would then follow.
Including 2006, the September rate of sea ice decline is now approximately -8.59% per decade, or 60,421 sq km (23,328 sq miles) per year less arctic ice.
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