The accelerated melting of the ice in Antarctica could slow down one of the world’s most powerful ocean currents, which could have significant effects on the global climate, according to a recently published study in the Environmental Research Letters.
The accelerated melting of the ice from Antarctica could slow down the ocean currents. Photo: Shutterstock
The researchers used one of the most advanced supercomputers in Australia to analyze how the water from the melting of glaciers influences the Circumpolar Antarctic current. This current plays a crucial role in regulating global temperatures and weather patterns, Agerpres informs.
“The ocean is extremely complex and finely balanced“Explained Bishakhdata Gayen, a researcher at the University of Melbourne, Australia. “If this current “engine” fails, the consequences could be serious, including greater climate variability, with more extremes in some regions and an accelerated global warming due to a reduction of the ocean’s ability to act as a carbon absorbent. ”
The circumpolar Antarctic Antarctic current functions as a “conveyor tape“Which move huge volumes of water between Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans. However, according to the study, the melting of ice layers would release large amounts of fresh water in the ocean, reducing salinity and affecting the normal circulation of cold water between surface and depth.
Oceans play an essential role as a carbon climate and absorbent regulator. The colder waters can absorb large amounts of heat from the atmosphere.
If greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase in the next 25 years, the current could slow down by about 20%, warns the researchers. Even in the scenario of a global warming limited to 1.5 ° C above the pre -industrial level – the objective established by the Paris Agreement – the current could undergo significant changes.
“Many scientists agree that we have already reached this 1.5 degree lens and that it is likely to be even warmer, with effects on the melting of the Antarctica”, Said Climatologist Taimoor Sohail, co -author of the study.
The research was conducted by an international team from Australia, India and Norway, who noted that the results obtained are different from previous studies that suggested an acceleration of the current. Specialists point out that additional observations are needed to better understand the impact of climatic changes on this slightly monitored region.
