Rapidly melting ice around Antarctica will cause a rapid slowdown of a major global deep ocean current by 2050, which can have disastrous impact on the world’s climate for centuries.
New research by Australian scientists suggest that the melting ice will also severely affect the marine food chain and even the stability of ice shelves, resulting in sea level rise.
The research suggests if greenhouse gas emissions continue at today’s levels, the current in the deepest parts of the ocean could slow down by 40% in only three decades.
Led by scientists from the University of New South Wales and published in the journal Nature, the peer-reviewed study modelled the impact of melting Antarctic ice on deep ocean currents that work to flush nutrients from the sea floor to fish near the surface.
Three years of computer modelling found the Antarctic overturning circulation – also known as abyssal ocean overturning – is on track to slow 42% by 2050 if the world continues to burn fossil fuels and produce high levels of planet-heating pollution.
A slowdown is expected to speed up ice melt and potentially end an ocean system that has helped sustain life for thousands of years.
The study suggests the ocean would not be able to absorb as much carbon dioxide as its upper layers become more stratified, leaving more CO2 in the atmosphere.
“The projections we have make it look like the Antarctic overturning would collapse this century,” said Australian researcher Matthew England, who co-ordinated the study.
As temperatures rise, freshwater from Antarctica’s melting ice enters the ocean, reducing the salinity and density of the surface water and diminishing that downward flow to the sea’s bottom.
While past research has looked at what could happen to similar overturning circulation in the North Atlantic - the mechanism behind the doomsday scenario that would see Europe suffer from an Arctic blast as heat transport falters - less has been done on Antarctic bottom water circulation.
Rapidly melting ice around Antarctica has a significant impact on global climate and sea level rise. Antarctica contains about 90% of the world’s ice, and the ice sheet there has been losing ice at an accelerating rate in recent years.
As the ice melts, it contributes to sea level rise, which can have a significant impact on coastal cities and communities. It is estimated that if the entire West Antarctic ice sheet were to melt, global sea levels could rise by up to 10 feet.
The melting ice also affects the circulation of ocean currents, which can have a significant impact on global weather patterns. The loss of ice also changes the reflection of sunlight, or albedo, which can further contribute to global warming.
In addition to these environmental impacts, the melting of ice in Antarctica can have significant economic and social impacts. The loss of ice can affect fishing and shipping industries, as well as tourism in the region.
The rapid melting of ice around Antarctica is, undoubtedly, a major concern for the global community, as it has significant and far-reaching impacts on our planet.