A University of Colorado study found that climate change is increasing the number of
Scientists have published the details of theirresearch in the scientific journal Geophysical Research Letters. They looked at the increase in freshwater supplies in the Arctic over the past two decades and drew conclusions about how this will affect the planet in the future.
The researchers noticed that the fresh water level in the Arctic Ocean has increased by 10% since the 1990s. This is 10 thousand cubic km. water.
“We hear a lot about changes in the Arctic inregarding temperature, and how it will affect ecosystems and animals. But our study provides an additional dimension - how the increase in fresh water will affect ocean circulation and climate. "
Rory Laiho, co-author and graduate student in atmospheric and ocean sciences
Such changes have occurred before - for example,in the 1970s and 80s. However, these were temporary phenomena, later the level of fresh and salty water returned to normal. This time the trend does not change, and if this continues in the future, then the circulation of water in the ocean may be disrupted forever. This could have negative consequences for the climate and ecosystems of the North Atlantic and the entire planet.
At the same time, fresh water does not allow coolingthe rest of the ocean: it keeps cold water on the surface instead of allowing denser liquid to sink below. Thus, the structure of the water in the Arctic Ocean differs significantly from other oceans. This mechanism can also disrupt ocean currents in the North Atlantic.
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