By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News website
Sea ice in the Arctic appears to have passed its minimum extent for 2008 without breaking last year's record.
The US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) says the ice covered 4.52 million sq km (1.74 million sq miles) at its low on 12 September.
Last year's minimum was 4.13 million sq km (1.59 million sq miles).
This summer's ice cover was the second lowest since satellite records began 30 years ago, which NSIDC says emphasises the "strong negative trend".
Temperatures have been lower in the Arctic this year than in 2007, primarily because of La Nina conditions, which create a colder climate globally from their source in the Pacific.
Even so, scientists had predicted that last year's record might be broken, because much of the ice was thinner than usual.
Instead, the 2008 graph now appears to be pointing upwards, indicating a recovery after the 12 September minimum.
Richard.Black-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk
(BBC)
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