Global warming alters the albedo of the Arctic primarily through the following mechanisms:
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Melting of Sea Ice: As temperatures rise, the Arctic sea ice melts, which reduces the reflective surface area. Ice has a high albedo, reflecting most of the solar radiation. When it melts, darker ocean water is exposed, which absorbs more heat and decreases the overall albedo.
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Changes in Snow Cover: As global warming progresses, the duration and extent of snow cover in the Arctic are decreasing. Snow also has a high albedo, and as it melts or is replaced by darker surfaces, this results in lower albedo, further contributing to heat absorption.
These two factors combined lead to a feedback loop where reduced albedo results in increased warming and further melting of ice and snow.
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