14 May , 14:39
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The disappearance of ocean life could cause a rapid increase in atmospheric CO₂ and accelerate global warming, Norwegian scientists warn. Large-scale climate modeling conducted by specialists from NORCE and the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research has revealed an alarming perspective, reports Earth.com.
Oceans absorb about 25% of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions annually, and marine organisms play a key role in this process. Researchers modeled two scenarios: one with the preservation of marine life, the other with its complete disappearance. The results were alarming: in conditions of complete extinction of oceanic organisms, the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere would increase by 50%.
Terrestrial ecosystems cannot cope alone
According to study co-author Damien Couespel, in such a scenario, terrestrial ecosystems would be able to partially compensate for the loss - they would absorb about half of the carbon dioxide that is no longer assimilated by the ocean. However, this is not enough to stabilize the climate.
Ocean life - an irreplaceable carbon filter
Scientists emphasize that biological processes in the ocean, such as the work of the "biological carbon pump," have a much greater impact on climate than previously thought. "Without living organisms in the surface layers of the ocean, the level of CO₂ in the water rises sharply, causing the ocean to stop effectively absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere," explained the study's lead author, Jerry Tjiputra.
Warming will accelerate
Modeling, covering both the pre-industrial era (before 1850) and a future with high emissions, showed: in any case, the absence of marine life leads to a sharp increase in the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere and an intensification of global warming.
"Our data clearly show that marine and terrestrial life jointly regulate the climate, and protecting marine ecosystems is one of the keys to combating climate change," Tjiputra summarized.
