As polar sea ice shrinks, small-scale churning and mixing in the Arctic Ocean becomes increasingly intense. Experts believe this phenomenon could have profound effects on our planet, East Asia Science reports.
What happened?
In a recent study published in the journal Nature Climate Change, researchers from the Institute for Basic Science examined the future of mesoscale horizontal stirring in the Arctic Ocean. Simply put, MHS is the swirling and mixing of seawater that spreads heat, nutrients, carbon and other materials.
However, current system models are not detailed enough to fully capture such small-scale processes. As a result, previous studies have been unable to fully understand how this type of mixing will change as the Earth warms due to increased pollution.
To overcome this obstacle, a team of IBS researchers performed ultra-high-resolution simulations using the Community Earth System Model version 1.2.2. They found that as global temperatures rise and polar sea ice continues to melt, the Arctic Ocean is becoming increasingly churned. Increased ocean turbulence may play an important role in affecting marine life and the ocean’s ability to help regulate Earth’s climate.
“The distinct geographical structures—the inland Arctic Ocean and the Antarctic coastal waters—lead to fundamental differences in the dynamic processes that determine changes in horizontal seawater mixing,” lead author Kyuseok Lee told Science East Asia. “Nevertheless, horizontal mixing in these two regions is expected to increase significantly if global warming continues.”
Why is increasing mesoscale horizontal stirring important?
In the Arctic, stronger mixing is primarily associated with winds blowing over newly exposed open waters. In Antarctica, increases in MHS result from meltwater refreshing the surface and creating density differences that greatly affect mixing.
As MHS increases, the distribution of life-sustaining nutrients may be severely disrupted, potentially reshaping marine ecosystems. Worse, ocean currents carrying fish larvae may carry them into unsuitable habitats, further hampering biodiversity.
June-Yi Lee, a co-author of the study, said this change may even affect how microplastics spread in the ocean. Lee discussed the team’s findings in a press release.
“This study highlights the important impact of global warming and related ocean changes on marine ecosystems and the spread of pollutants such as microplastics,” Li said. “This type of research is critical for developing climate policy, including adaptation measures.”
What are we doing to combat the steady rise in global temperatures?
As global temperatures rise, more areas are at risk of more frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts and stronger storms. Rising temperatures remain the main cause of melting glaciers and ice caps, further increasing the likelihood of increased MHS.
In response to rising global temperatures, many countries are enacting policies aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels. This includes driving the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
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