Anthropogenic Climate Change In Southern Ocean Near Antarctica

These changes in the Arctic and Antarctic in combination with other effects of anthropogenic climate change have direct impact on the state worldwide oceans. Sea levels are rising while average sea temperatures are doing the same. As a result from these changes, marine ecosystems are being altered. For example, sudden changes in ocean temperatures lead to coral bleaching, signifying the death of coral reefs and the marine populations that depend on them. Many species of fish have been forced to migrate closer to the poles where cooler water temperatures still preside. (Hassol, 2004) Ocean acidification is also a result of climate change. Because of increase amount of CO2 emissions, the oceans have absorbed large amounts of CO2. While the oceans’ CO2 uptake has slowed the process of climate change, oceanic acidity

Change in ocean temperature does not solely affect marine life; it also affects regional land climates and ecosystems. Deep below the surface of the ocean, currents move warm and cool water, carbon, oxygen, as well as nutrients from one place to another. This process is referred to as the Global Ocean Conveyor Belt, and anthropogenic climate change is beginning to affect how it operates. One example of this can be seen in the changes occurring to the large deep-water current of the Southern Ocean near Antarctica. Researchers found that recent climate change may be acting to slow down a major ocean conveyor belt. There is cause for concern because ocean currents play a major role in determining the amount of CO2 that the ocean can absorb, and consequently determines climate. (Casimir de Lavergne, 2014) When the ocean current slows, the ocean is less capable in absorbing carbon and heat from the atmosphere resulting in uncharacteristic climates across the globe. This change in deep ocean currents demonstrates another consequence of anthropogenic climate