<P> Sea ice is important to the climate and the ocean in a variety of ways . It reduces the transfer of heat from the ocean to the atmosphere ; it causes less solar energy to be absorbed at the surface , and provides a surface on which snow can accumulate , which further decreases the absorption of solar energy ; since salt is rejected from the ice as it forms , the ice increases the salinity of the ocean 's surface water where it forms and decreases the salinity where it melts , both of which can affect the ocean 's circulation ( NSIDC ) . </P>
how does salinity of the artic ocean change with the seasons
reduces the transfer of heat from the ocean to the atmosphere ; it causes less solar energy to be absorbed at the surface , and provides a surface on which snow can accumulate , which further decreases the absorption of solar energy ; since salt is rejected from the ice as it forms , the ice increases the salinity of the ocean 's surface water where it forms and decreases the salinity where it melts , both of which can affect the ocean 's circulation ( NSIDC ) .