Southern Ocean Defies Climate Predictions, Maintaining Carbon Absorption Despite Global Warming
The Southern Ocean has maintained its crucial carbon absorption capacity despite climate models predicting a decline. Freshwater from melting ice has created a protective layer, but researchers warn this temporary solution could soon reverse, accelerating climate change.
Southern Ocean’s Surprising Carbon Absorption Defies Climate Models
According to a new study published in Nature Climate Change, the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica continues to absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide despite climate models predicting this capacity would weaken due to global warming. Researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute report that long-term measurements show the ocean’s carbon absorption has remained largely unchanged in recent decades, contrary to what climate projections had indicated.