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Oceans Are Absorbing Less CO2

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 21, 2007 9:19 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Oceans are absorbing half the CO2 they were in the mid-'90s, according to a study that collected more than 90,000 North Atlantic measurements over 10 years. Oceans typically absorb about a quarter of the world’s carbon emissions, but the new data suggest they're becoming “saturated,” which a BBC analyst says would “leave all our emissions to warm the atmosphere.”

Researchers aren't sure what caused the change—either global warming or natural variations are possible—but say it’s “a tremendous surprise, and very worrying.” The oceans and continental land masses form the world’s main carbon sinks, which absorb about half of all CO2 emissions. The decrease in ocean absorption could accelerate global warming.

Scientists have concluded after a 10-year study in the North Atlantic that the world's oceans are now absorbing about half the carbon dioxide they were in the mid-'90s.
Scientists have concluded after a 10-year study in the North Atlantic that the world's oceans are now absorbing about half the carbon dioxide they were in the mid-'90s.   (Getty Images)
An iceberg stranded in shallow water in Greenland. Scientists have concluded after a 10-year study in the North Atlantic that the world's oceans are now absorbing about half the carbon dioxide they were in the mid-'90s.
An iceberg stranded in shallow water in Greenland. Scientists have concluded after a 10-year study in the North Atlantic that the world's oceans are now absorbing about half the carbon dioxide they were...   (Magnum Photos)
This undated photo released by the Australian Institute of Marine Science, shows dying coral on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Coral reefs in much of the Pacific Ocean are dying faster than previously thought, according to a study released Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, with the decline driven by climate change,...
This undated photo released by the Australian Institute of Marine Science, shows dying coral on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Coral reefs in much of the Pacific Ocean are dying faster than previously...   (Associated Press)
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