"Southern Ocean's Deep Waters Lock Away CO2 for Decades, Impacting Climate"

The Southern Ocean plays a crucial role in sequestering carbon dioxide, but changes in climate change impact its future effectiveness as a carbon sink.

• The Southern Ocean absorbs about 40% of global anthropogenic carbon dioxide, acting as a vital buffer against human-induced climate change.
• Intensifying westerly winds due to stratospheric ozone depletion are expected to enhance the upwelling of carbon-rich deep waters, jeopardizing the carbon sink capacity of the Southern Ocean.
• Studies published in Nature Climate Change indicate that increased ocean stratification may limit the Southern Oceans ability to sequester carbon effectively, impacting atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.