In July 2025, Spanish marine scientists reported a reversal in the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) of the South Atlantic, a key component of global ocean circulation.
This marks the first such event in 30 years of monitoring, potentially altering the Southern Ocean's ability to sequester heat and carbon, according to Dr. Marilena Oltmanns.
The current reversal is attributed to a complex interplay of factors, including accelerated melting of Antarctic ice sheets, changes in wind patterns, and increased freshwater input into the Southern Ocean. This disruption has the potential to trigger further climate instability, including shifts in regional weather patterns and sea level rise. Scientists are urgently investigating the long-term consequences of this unprecedented event.