The ocean traditionally acts as buffer to increased atmospheric warming because it absorbs carbon dioxide and resultantly ” has absorbed over 90% of global heating.” When the ocean absorbs CO2, it is then taken up by marine plants and animals to become part of the ocean cycle where it is locked into the deep ocean mud for centuries. However, research on climate change’s impact on the ocean has suggested that the ocean is losing its ability as an effective #carbonsink.
The latest discovery from the International “i-Atlantic” project revealed that if global temperatures increase to levels predicted – the ocean will not be able to provide “what is currently Earth’s largest long-term carbon store.”