Southern Ocean may flip from carbon sink to carbon source under mitigation scenarios
Plans to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels depend on reaching net-zero emissions and, in many cases, actively removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air. While this helps limit extreme weather, sea level rise, ecosystem loss and the risk of triggering irreversible climate tipping points, a new study, published in Science Advances, finds that reducing CO2 levels…
The Southern Ocean around Antarctica may transition from being a significant carbon sink to a major carbon source under certain mitigation scenarios, according to a new study published in Science Advances. While the ocean currently absorbs approximately 30% of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions, with the Southern Ocean accounting for 40% to 50% of that absorption, researchers from the study suggest that it could switch roles once emissions decline.
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