EARTH.COM - Now, a study led by the University of California Riverside has found that changes to ozone levels in the upper and lower atmosphere were responsible for almost a third of the warming of ocean waters surrounding Antarctica in the second half of the 20th century. This deep and rapid warming of the Southern Ocean diminishes its role as one of the main regions soaking up excess heat as our planet warms.
“Ozone close to Earth’s surface is harmful to people and the environment, but this study reveals it also has a big impact on the ocean’s ability to absorb excess heat from the atmosphere,” said study lead author Dr. Michaela Hegglin, an associate professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at UC Riverside. “These findings are an eye-opener and hammer home the importance of regulating air pollution to prevent increased ozone levels and global temperatures rising further still.”