New Study Suggests Oceans Absorb More CO2 Than Previously Thought (scitechdaily.com)
(Sunday November 03, 2024 @05:39PM (EditorDavid)
from the carbon-captured dept.)
- Reference: 0175388649
- News link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/11/03/2129251/new-study-suggests-oceans-absorb-more-co2-than-previously-thought
- Source link: https://scitechdaily.com/new-study-reveals-oceans-absorb-more-co2-than-previously-thought/
Long-time Slashdot reader [1]schwit1 shared [2]this story from SciTechDaily :
> New research confirms that subtle temperature differences at the ocean surface, known as the "ocean skin," increase carbon dioxide absorption. This discovery, based on precise measurements, suggests global oceans absorb 7% more CO2 than previously thought, aiding climate understanding and carbon assessments...
>
> Until now, global estimates of air-sea CO2 fluxes typically ignore the importance of temperature differences in the near-surface layer... Dr Gavin Tilstone, from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), said: "This discovery highlights the intricacy of the ocean's water column structure and how it can influence CO2 draw-down from the atmosphere. Understanding these subtle mechanisms is crucial as we continue to refine our climate models and predictions. It underscores the ocean's vital role in regulating the planet's carbon cycle and climate."
[1] https://slashdot.org/~schwit1
[2] https://scitechdaily.com/new-study-reveals-oceans-absorb-more-co2-than-previously-thought/
> New research confirms that subtle temperature differences at the ocean surface, known as the "ocean skin," increase carbon dioxide absorption. This discovery, based on precise measurements, suggests global oceans absorb 7% more CO2 than previously thought, aiding climate understanding and carbon assessments...
>
> Until now, global estimates of air-sea CO2 fluxes typically ignore the importance of temperature differences in the near-surface layer... Dr Gavin Tilstone, from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), said: "This discovery highlights the intricacy of the ocean's water column structure and how it can influence CO2 draw-down from the atmosphere. Understanding these subtle mechanisms is crucial as we continue to refine our climate models and predictions. It underscores the ocean's vital role in regulating the planet's carbon cycle and climate."
[1] https://slashdot.org/~schwit1
[2] https://scitechdaily.com/new-study-reveals-oceans-absorb-more-co2-than-previously-thought/
I'm not sure why this is important (Score:2)
It's interesting, but we can measure the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and have been doing so for quite some time. The fact the oceans are absorbing 7% more than we'd thought they were doesn't really change the fact that we can measure atmospheric CO2 any time we want to do so.
It's not like this gives us 7% more breathing room than we had before, it's not like if we were actually reducing emissions we wouldn't see the effect on atmospheric CO2 directly.
Extra CO2 is bad for the oceans due to acidification
Re: (Score:1)
Empirical results that don’t match key previous assumptions shouldn’t be easily dismissed - that’s a misuse of evidence that’s similar to p-hacking.
The most alarming climate models assume that tiny changes create exponentially large effects over time - they “hockey stick” or “tip the scales”. This finding is significant as these same models work well within the margin of error for most measurements, and a seven percent change to one of their key assumptions is
It's supposed to make you think (Score:1)
That we don't need to do anything about climate change because the planet will just take care of it for us. That's the implication of seeing these studies tossed about in popular media.
It's the same reason why we keep getting stories about carbon capture. It's pushed by the oil industry in order to slow down the transition to renewables.
Just because the oceans absorb more CO2 doesn't mean that CO2 doesn't have any effects. Having a large increase in CO2 in the oceans can do just as much damage just i
Re: (Score:2)
> That we don't need to do anything about climate change because the planet will just take care of it for us.
To be fair, the first part is actually true. But humans will not be around anymore or at least nothing besides scattered tribes of primitive nomads, probably dreaming of a time when we had it all.
Re: (Score:2)
I agree, you're not sure why this is important. Fortunately, it's not important that you understand why it's important. But for scientists who maintain and refine climate models, better information is universally good.
Re: (Score:2)
> It's interesting, but we can measure the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and have been doing so for quite some time. The fact the oceans are absorbing 7% more than we'd thought they were doesn't really change the fact that we can measure atmospheric CO2 any time we want to do so.
> It's not like this gives us 7% more breathing room than we had before, it's not like if we were actually reducing emissions we wouldn't see the effect on atmospheric CO2 directly.
> Extra CO2 is bad for the oceans due to acidification, but if all we paid attention to was air, we'd have a very reliable measurement by which to judge our progress (or lack thereof).
Honestly, I wonder if this is (mildly) bad news.
For one, ocean acidification is bad, and this makes it worse.
But also, the fact 7% more CO2 is being absorbed means we're emitting more CO2 than we realized, and that means our efforts to reduce will need to overcome that added barrier.