Just beneath the surface of our vast oceans lies a small layer less than 2 millimeters deep. This ultra-thin layer, called “ocean skin,” is slightly cooler than the water directly beneath it. This slight temperature difference may not seem like much, but it acts as an effective sentinel for carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the world’s most important greenhouse gases.
ocean skin temperature
Slightly cooler ocean surface temperatures increase the amount of CO2 the ocean can absorb, according to new research. The theory is not new; It was suggested by laboratory studies and theoretical studies, but could not be successfully observed in the open sea. A team of researchers from the University of Exeter’s Penrhyn Campus in Cornwall used modern measurements to confirm that ocean skin temperatures do indeed support carbon uptake.
CO2 is absorbed in the Atlantic
The team conducted their research in the Atlantic Ocean. The findings show that the Atlantic absorbs about 7% more CO2 each year than previously thought. While 7% may seem like an insignificant increase when applied to entire oceans, this additional carbon sequestration is equivalent to one and a half times the carbon sequestered annually by the vast Amazon rainforest.
Ocean skin and climate change
The global ocean acts as a major sink, absorbing approximately a quarter of our carbon emissions. This process helps slow climate change. But it also harms the ocean. A new study brings us closer to understanding this complex dynamic.
Lead author Dr. D., a biological and physical oceanographer at the University of Exeter. “Our findings provide measurements that support our theoretical understanding of surface ocean CO2 flux,” said Daniel Ford.
Climate Change Conference
The importance of this research increases as we approach next month’s COP29 climate change conference. Understanding the role of oceans in absorbing carbon emissions helps improve global carbon estimates, which can guide efforts to reduce emissions. The discovery of the ocean skin was incorporated into data provided by the team for this year’s Global Carbon Budget Assessment and adds to our collective understanding of carbon flows.
Analysis of ocean skin
The team’s research focused on spacecraft observations collected during two European Space Agency projects. Modern CO2 flux measurement systems complement this with high-resolution temperature measurements by measuring the subtle difference in CO2 in the air circulating towards and away from the ocean surface.
Also from the University of Exeter, Dr. “This study is the result of many years of efforts by an international team of scientists,” said Ian Ashton. “Science support from the European Space Agency helped deliver such a high-quality ocean-wide measurement campaign.”
Future climate models
As scientists improve our understanding of the oceans’ ability to absorb carbon, its implications for climate models become significant. Accurately accounting for increased CO2 absorption by ocean skin could change forecast models and provide more accurate future climate scenarios.
Additionally, this information allows policymakers to develop more informed environmental strategies, using marine carbon sequestration as the cornerstone for mitigation measures. As these models become more robust, they will inform international policy and financing decisions and facilitate further innovation in climate solutions.
Combining science and politics
The intersection of scientific discovery and policy making is critical to combating the global climate crisis. Ocean skin research highlights the importance of integrating scientific understanding into actionable policy, thereby bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and real-world application.
Organizations and governments must work together to translate these findings into real actions, such as investing in ocean conservation initiatives and mainstreaming ocean health into climate action. As countries prepare for the upcoming COP29 conference, this study clarifies the role oceans play and argues for the inclusion of marine ecosystems, which act as important buffers against rising CO2 levels, in the global climate agenda.
Ocean skin and climate regulation
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) expert Dr Gavin Tilstone drew attention to the importance of the data obtained.
“This discovery highlights the complexity of the structure of the ocean’s water column and how this can affect the release of CO₂ from the atmosphere,” Dr Tilstone said. he said. “Understanding these subtle mechanisms is critical as we continue to improve our climate models and predictions. This highlights the ocean’s vital role in regulating the planet’s carbon cycle and climate.”
With this new knowledge of the ocean skin, we can better understand how even the subtlest mechanisms in our oceans have profound consequences for Earth’s climate. The study was published in the journal Natural Geology.
Source: Port Altele
