International scientific think-tank claims that waters of the Arctic Ocean became warmer and less saline than they have been 20 years ago.
      
      Scientists from Russia, Germany and the United States analyzed data, received during the international polar year programme (2007/2008). Year 2007 was notable for anomalously high temperatures in the Arctic region. Moreover, vast regions of desalinated seawater were detected at the surface.
      
      One of the reasons for such an anomaly, according to scientists, is changing of atmospheric circulation, since prevailing winds blew from the south and brought large masses of warm air, causing intensive ice melting and moving of ice edge northwards.
      
      Last 20 years made Arctic waters 0.38°С warmer and 0.19 ‰ less saline. Researchers worry that mentioned changes are irreversible.
      
      Source: Science News