Despite expectations that warmer seas would absorb more CO2, the global ocean took up 10% less than predicted in 2023. | AI News Digest
In 2023, the global ocean absorbed approximately 10% less CO2 than expected, despite record-high sea surface temperatures (SSTs) driven by a strong El Niño. While historical data suggested that warmer seas would enhance CO2 uptake, the actual results showed a decline in the ocean carbon sink. This anomaly was primarily attributed to increased outgassing of CO2 in subtropical and subpolar regions, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, where elevated SSTs reduced CO2 solubility. The findings highlight the ocean's complex response to climate change and raise concerns about its ability to continue mitigating anthropogenic CO2 emissions under ongoing global warming. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring of oceanic carbon dynamics as climate conditions evolve.
