Scientists are alarmed by a sudden increase in salinity in the Antarctic Ocean, reversing a decades-long trend. This change is linked to rising water temperatures and accelerated loss of underwater ice.
A study published in PNAS reveals a sharp increase in salinity below 50 degrees latitude since 2015, coinciding with the reappearance of the Maud Rise polynya. The study highlights that this salinization is primarily due to the melting of ice shelves and sea ice, which releases salt into the ocean. This process is further exacerbated by warmer ocean temperatures, which accelerate the melting. The study also details the potential impacts, including further destabilization of ice sheets, changes in ocean currents, and a feedback loop where increased salinity contributes to further warming.
Researcher Estrella Olmedo warns that this shift could cause the region to release carbon dioxide and heat, signaling a critical need for immediate political action.