Worrying changes in the planet’s wind regime are warming ocean currents, especially near the poles. endanger the ecosystems and livelihoods of thousands of people. Australian researchers have solved the mystery of why and how ocean ‘hotspots’ form so quickly by examining the winds that affect currents that warm these regions.
Researchers from UNSW (University of New South Wales, Sydney) say large-scale changes in strong wind patterns are causing rapid warming of westerly currents in the southern hemisphere and transforming climate and habitats worldwide.
Western ocean boundary currents, including the East Australian Current, carry large amounts of heat towards the Earth’s poles. These currents are crucial in the tempering of global coastal climates. Again, In recent years, regions stretching toward the poles have warmed two to three times the global average, creating ocean “hotspots.”but no one knew why these regions were warming so fast.
in a published study Nature Climate ChangeUNSW researchers have managed to unravel the mystery behind this phenomenon.
“We found that the rapid warming was due to climate change causing easterly winds to shift south in mid-latitudes.”lead author Junde Li said in a statement. Li explained that this is causing an increase in the number of poleward extensions of the Western Boundary Current – large eddies in the ocean that trap and transport warm ocean waters.
Impacts on the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people
“These changes are causing a worldwide redistribution of heat, dissolved gases, and nutrients,” Li said. “Something that changes local weather patterns and marine ecosystems.” Western boundary currents in the Southern Hemisphere affect the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people living off the coasts of South Africa, Australia and Brazil.
“The ocean in southeast Australia is warming at an alarming rate,” said co-author Professor Moninya Roughan. “We have seen periods of extremely high temperatures: All temperature records in Sydney’s coastal waters were broken in February 2022.pointed.
Professor Roughan said ocean ‘hotspots’ are causing stress on coastal species, which could lead to irreversible habitat loss. “The warming has penetrated further south along the east coast and has taken many species with it,” said Professor Roughan. This includes sea urchins that enter the waters off the Tasmanian coast. Here, kelp forests were destroyed by the double blow of warmer waters and kelp-eating chestnuts. This has ruined both local tourism and the crayfish industry.
Li added that while the study focuses on the southern hemisphere, this is possible. The results could also shed light on what triggers ocean warming and marine heatwaves in the northern hemisphere’s western boundary currents.Like the Gulf Stream.
“As our atmosphere warms, our oceans will continue to warm.said. “While this is happening, we need to generate high-resolution datasets that can help us better understand the dynamics of global heat transfer.”
“This can help us predict and prepare for the impact of warming on marine ecosystems, local communities, industries and much more under climate change,” he added.
Reference work: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-022-01473-8
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