Recent research has revealed that the cooler temperatures of the ocean surface layer significantly enhance the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO₂), with the Atlantic Ocean absorbing approximately 7% more CO₂ annually than previously estimated. This study focused on the “ocean skin,” a thin layer of water less than 2 mm deep at the ocean’s surface, which exhibits slightly lower temperatures than the underlying water.
While theoretical and laboratory studies have suggested that this temperature difference should increase CO₂ absorption, this effect has never been successfully observed in real-world ocean conditions until now.
Led by researchers from the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus, the study utilized precise measurements to confirm the hypothesis that the temperature of the ocean skin aids in carbon absorption. Conducted in the Atlantic, the findings indicate that the ocean’s capacity to absorb CO₂ is greater than previously thought.
Although a 7% increase may seem minor, this additional absorption translates into a significant impact on the global carbon budget, equating to approximately one and a half times the carbon captured by the annual growth of the Amazon rainforest.
Research Reveals Cooler Ocean Surface Layer Enhances CO₂ Absorption by 7% in Atlantic, Impacting Global Carbon BudgetThe global ocean plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing roughly a quarter of humanity’s carbon emissions. However, this process also poses risks to marine ecosystems. The new findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that govern CO₂ absorption, emphasizing the need for better global carbon assessments to guide emission reduction strategies.
Dr. Daniel Ford, the lead author, highlighted the importance of these findings in light of the upcoming COP29 climate change conference, where the role of oceans in climate regulation will be a key topic.
In addition to enhancing scientific understanding, the research team has included their findings in this year’s Global Carbon Budget assessment. The data was gathered through advanced CO₂ flux systems capable of measuring minute differences in CO₂ concentrations in the air above the ocean.
This comprehensive approach, supported by European Space Agency projects, has revealed the critical importance of temperature differences in the near-surface layer, which had often been overlooked in previous global estimates of air-sea CO₂ fluxes.
Experts involved in the study, including Dr. Ian Ashton and Dr. Gavin Tilstone, emphasized the intricate nature of the ocean’s water column structure and its influence on CO₂ absorption from the atmosphere. They stressed that understanding these subtle mechanisms is vital for refining climate models and predictions.
This research underscores the ocean’s essential role in regulating the planet’s carbon cycle and climate, highlighting the need for continued exploration of the relationships between ocean temperature, CO₂ absorption, and climate change mitigation strategies.