Phys.org January 11, 2023
In 2022, the world’s oceans, as given by changes in ocean heat content (OHC), were again the hottest in the historical record and exceeded the previous 2021 record maximum due to the emission of greenhouse gasses and other anthropogenic substances by human activities, driving pervasive changes in Earth’s climate system. An international team of researchers (China, USA – University of St. Thomas, NCAR, NOAA, University of Pennsylvania, University of Maryland, New Zealand, Italy) recorded the highest OHC since the 1950s among seven regions, four basins (the North Pacific, North Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, and southern oceans). The salinity-contrast index, a quantification of the “salty gets saltier—fresh gets fresher” pattern, also reached its highest level on record in 2022, implying continued amplification of the global hydrological cycle. Regional OHC and salinity changes in 2022 were dominated by a strong La Niña event. Global upper-ocean stratification continued its increasing trend and was among the top seven in 2022…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Ocean “stratification” means less deep water is rising towards the surface carrying oxygen and nutrients… Credit: The article.