The planet's coldest, saltiest ocean waters are heating up and shrinking, report finds

[bronxiteforever]

Source: CNN

The planet’s coldest, saltiest ocean waters are heating up and shrinking, report finds

By Laura Paddison, CNN
Published 11:03 AM EDT, Mon June 12, 2023

CNN
—
Deep ocean water in the Antarctic is heating up and shrinking, with potentially far-reaching consequences for climate change and deep ocean ecosystems, according to a report.

“Antarctic bottom water” is the coldest, saltiest water on the planet. These waters play a crucial role in the ocean’s ability to act as a buffer against climate change by absorbing excess heat and human-caused carbon pollution. They also circulate nutrients across the ocean.

But in the Weddell Sea, along the northern coast of Antarctica, this vital water mass is in decline..The changes in these deep waters can have far-reaching consequences. They are a vital part of global ocean circulation, transporting human-caused carbon pollution into the deep ocean where it remains for centuries, said Silvano. If this deep circulation weakens, “less carbon can be absorbed by the deep ocean, limiting the ability of the ocean to mitigate global warming,” Silvano told CNN.

Oceans have absorbed more than 90% of the world’s excess heat since the 1970s and absorb almost a third of human-produced carbon pollution.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/12/world/antarctic-deep-ocean-water-shrinking-climate-scn-intl/index.html

[VGNonly]

1. Goodbye Earth

It was good to know you.

[roamer65]

3. Hello, Hothouse Earth.

Cretaceous redux but without all the cool dinosaurs.

[GPV]

2. Knr