SCI/TECH: Scientists find dramatic changes in Southern Ocean, fear climate link

Dramatic changes have been discovered in the temperatures and salinity of deep ocean currents in the Southern Ocean. Scientists that have made the discovery are concerned that this may have a global impact in terms of climate. The leader of the team indicated that the deep currents are both cooler and less salty than 10 years ago. The temperatures and salinity were taken at depths of over 5 kilometers. It is unclear of this is a natural cycle, or an effect of global climate change.



There seems to be mounting evidence that major climactic change may be around the corner, but as of yet there is no large smoking gun as it were. The ocean currents can have a dramatic effect on climates and it is unclear as the article states if there changes are just part of a natural cycle that we have never seen until now or a sign that global warming has crossed the point of no return as it were. The lead researched also admit that they are really unsure as to what exactly the change means at any rate so to start speculating before all the data was in would be foolhardy.

Well, the part that I found more interesting is this.

Their findings added new urgency to the study of climate change, Rintoul said.


"It's another indication that the climate is capable of changing and is changing now," he said.


"What we need to do is sort out if this is human-induced change and if so, how rapidly is the climate going to change and what will the impacts of that change be?" he said.

Excerpted from link provided by FredT.

What I don't understand is exactly which ocean are they talking about?... Is it the southern Pacific Ocean? the South Atlantic Ocean? The Indian Ocean? or all the southern Oceans?

The really bad news about this, is if this trend continues in the south, we are going to have sea levels rise sooner than was expected, appart from the effects of climate change around the world.


[edit on 17-2-2005 by Muaddib]

It was interesting that the Temps were cooler then they were 10 years ago. We usually hear about things getting hotter. A comeing ice age is something that I have not heard talked about in a while.

planet earth is in sick mode.i really glad that some countires realize that today they must at least try to fix there pollution problems. those countries that turn a deaf ear to there problems are sad.flooding of all coastal lines could be very deadly.now is the time to move to higher ground.the government should be mapping out areas of non flooding zones.governments should be putting money away for disaster funding for there own countires people.this would at least start the wheels in motion and prepare for any weather disasters.we must prepare and manage for the worst. for then we might be able to survive our greatest fight for existence.

[edit on 17-2-2005 by flukemol]