US Edition
Southern Ocean Saltier, Hotter and Losing Ice Fast as Decades-Long Trend Unexpectedly Reverses
SOUTHERN OCEAN, ANTARCTICA, JUN 29 – Since 2015, surface salinity in the Southern Ocean has risen sharply, causing rapid sea ice loss and the return of the Maud Rise polynya, a feedback loop worsening ice melt, scientists say.
- A recent study published on June 30 highlights a significant reduction in Antarctic sea ice and increasing surface salinity in the Southern Ocean, featuring the return of a large open water area known as the Maud Rise polynya.
- Researchers from the University of Southampton led by Dr. Alessandro Silvano found that a decades-long trend of fresher, colder surface water reversed around 2015, causing sudden salinity increase and sea ice loss.
- The research highlights a dangerous feedback loop where saltier surface water allows heat to rise from the deep ocean, accelerating ice melt and increasing iceberg calving around Antarctica.
- Beginning in 2015, the amount of sea ice around Antarctica has decreased by an area comparable to Greenland, and in years with reduced ice coverage, ocean temperatures in the Southern Ocean have increased by 0.3°C, with this warming persisting for up to three years—posing a significant threat to species that depend on sea ice habitats.
- These findings imply current models may underestimate Antarctic changes, signaling urgent need for continuous monitoring as ongoing sea ice loss could reshape the Southern Ocean and worsen global warming effects.
50 Articles
50 Articles
Global-scale shifts in marine ecological stoichiometry over the past 50 years
The elemental stoichiometry of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) regulates marine biogeochemical cycles and underpins the Redfield ratio paradigm. However, its global variability and response to environmental change remain poorly constrained. Here we compile a global dataset of 56,031 plankton (particulate) and 388,515 seawater (dissolved) samples from 1971 to 2020, spanning surface to 1,000 m depth, to assess spatial and temporal dyna…
Antarctica Just Lost a Greenland’s Worth of Ice — And That’s Not the Scariest Part
A major shift is unfolding in the waters around Antarctica. Scientists have discovered that the Southern Ocean is getting much saltier — and fast. This change is allowing deep, hidden heat to rise and melt the sea ice from below. Since 2015, Antarctica has lost as much ice as the entire size of Greenland. Even [...]
New study reveals how Antarctica's focuss are responding to changes in Antarctica's marine ice and what long-term changes can mean for its future survival
The Southern Polar Sea has enormous influence on the global climate. An unexpected development there makes researchers puzzle.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
