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https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/may/25/slowing-ocean-current-caused-by-melting-antarctic-ice-could-have-drastic-climate-impact-study-says>
"A major global deep ocean current has slowed down by approximately 30% since
the 1990s as a result of melting Antarctic ice, which could have critical
consequences for Earth’s climate patterns and sea levels, new research
suggests.
Known as the Southern Ocean overturning circulation, the global circulation
system plays a key role in influencing the Earth’s climate, including rainfall
and warming patterns. It also determines how much heat and carbon dioxide the
oceans store.
Scientists warn that its slowdown could have drastic impacts, including
increasing sea levels, altering weather patterns and depriving marine
ecosystems of vital nutrients.
“Changes in the overturning circulation are a big deal,” said the study’s
co-author, Dr Steve Rintoul, an oceanographer and expert on the Southern Ocean
at the Australian government’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
Organisation (CSIRO).
“It’s something that is a concern because it touches on so many aspects of the
Earth, including climate, sea level, and marine life.”
The finding comes months after modelling, which Rintoul was involved in, that
predicted a 40% slowdown in the circulation by 2050.
“The model projections of rapid change in the deep ocean circulation in
response to melting of Antarctic ice might, if anything, have been
conservative,” Rintoul said. “We’re seeing changes have already happened in the
ocean that were not projected to happen until a few decades from now.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
