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Deep ocean currents around Antarctica headed for collapse, say scientists

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Deutsche Welle

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="A ship navigates its way through packed ice and small icebergs in Antarctic waters in the Southern Ocean, Jan. 10, 2012. Dean Lewins, EPA/File " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/overseas/03/31/20230331-antarctic-waters-epa.jpg"/><figcaption>A ship navigates its way through packed ice and small icebergs in Antarctic waters in the Southern Ocean, Jan. 10, 2012. Dean Lewins, EPA/File</figcaption></figure></div>The fast melting of Antarctic ice threatens to slow deep currents in the world&#x27;s oceans, adversely affecting the climate, the spread of fresh water and oxygen as well as life-sustaining nutrients for centuries, scientists have said.According to a new study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, deep water currents around Antarctica could slow by more than 40% in the next 30 years.The &quot;overturning circulation&quot; of waters in the depths of the oceans would slow by 40% by 2050 in a high-emissions scenario, the study said, warning of repercussions that would last &quot;for centuries to come.&quot;New modeling cited in the study indicated rapid Antarctic ice melts driving a &quot;substantial slowdown&quot; of water circulation in the deepest parts of the oceans if global carbon emissions remain high.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/03/29/23/swiss-seniors-sue-govt-over-alleged-climate-inaction">Swiss seniors sue government over alleged climate inaction</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/advertorial/life/02/14/23/we-are-affected-by-climate-change-without-knowing-it">We are affected by climate change without knowing it</a></li></ul><div>&#x27;HEADED TO COLLAPSE&#x27;</div>If the model holds true, the deep ocean current will be &quot;on a trajectory that looks headed towards collapse,&quot; said Matthew England, a climate professor at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), who coordinated the study.Trillions of tons of cold, highly salty and oxygen-rich water sink around Antarctica every year, sending a deep-water current north to the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans.A higher volume of melting ice leads to the Antarctic waters becoming less dense and salty, slowing the deep-ocean circulation.With the collapse of this deep ocean current, oceans below 4,000 meters would stagnate.&quot;This would trap nutrients in the deep ocean, reducing the nutrients available to support marine life near the ocean surface,&quot; England said.The study also said that the melt of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets was expected to continue to accelerate as the earth warms.&quot;We are talking about the possible long-term extinction of an iconic water mass,&quot; England said.

A new study says that rapidly melting Antarctic ice could impact oceans 'for centuries to come.' 