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A new study says that melting ice around Antarctica is not just raising sea levels, but also slowing down the circulation of deep ocean water with vast implications for the global climate and for marine life. It will cause a rapid slowdown of a major global deep ocean current by 2050 that could alter the world’s climate for centuries and accelerate sea level rise.
The study conducted by Australian scientists says that the deep-water flows which drive ocean currents could decline by 40% by 2050.
The currents carry vital heat, oxygen, carbon, and nutrients around the globe.
Led by scientists from the University of New South Wales, the peer-reviewed study has modeled the impact of melting Antarctic ice on deep ocean currents that work to flush nutrients from the sea floor to fish near the surface.
The study, which was published in the journal Nature, suggests if greenhouse gas emissions continue at today’s levels, the current in the deepest parts of the ocean could slow down by 40% in only three decades.
It warns that such a situation could generate a cascade of impacts that could push up sea levels, alter weather patterns and starve marine life of a vital source of nutrients.
Ice sheets
Antarctica contains a vast amount of ice, much of which is stored in ice sheets that cover the continent. If these ice sheets were to melt completely, it would result in a global sea level rise of approximately 58 meters (190 feet).
While it is unlikely that all of the Antarctic ice will melt in the near future, scientists have observed significant melting and ice loss from certain areas of the continent, particularly in West Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula. This melting is primarily driven by warming ocean temperatures, which are causing ice shelves to thin and break up, and by the melting of the undersides of ice shelves due to warming ocean water.
As more ice melts and flows into the ocean, it can contribute to sea level rise. The exact amount of sea level rise that will result from melting Antarctic ice is uncertain and depends on many factors, including the rate of melting and the response of the Earth’s climate system. However, it is clear that the continued melting of Antarctic ice could have significant implications for global sea levels and the communities and ecosystems that rely on them.
Global Climate
The melting of Antarctic ice can have significant impacts on the global climate. Here are a few examples:
Changes in ocean circulation: The melting of Antarctic ice can add freshwater to the ocean, which can alter ocean circulation patterns. This, in turn, can affect global climate patterns, including precipitation patterns and temperature.
Rising sea levels: Melting Antarctic ice can contribute to rising sea levels, which can have a range of impacts on coastal communities, economies, and ecosystems.
Feedback loops: As the Antarctic ice sheet melts, it can expose darker surfaces underneath, such as rock and soil. These surfaces absorb more heat than ice, which can accelerate the melting process and create feedback loops that further contribute to global warming.
Release of greenhouse gases: As permafrost in Antarctica melts, it can release large amounts of methane and other greenhouse gases that have been trapped in the ice. These emissions can further contribute to global warming. Overall, the melting of Antarctic ice can have complex and far-reaching impacts on global climate patterns, and it is important that scientists continue to study and understand these impacts in order to mitigate their effects.
