In the largest ocean area where the rate of oxygen is so weak that it cannot be measured, the whip escapes atmosphereLocated in the South Pacific, this region contributes greatly to the loss of the global ocean mass. According to a study published in Nature, the Scientists They have identified the main mechanisms at play, which reveal the direct relationship between the scourge cycle and climate change.
The cycle of the whip and its disturbance
El scourge cycle is key to ocean ecosystems. Human disturbance to this cycle is particularly important. Human activities, especially industry and water use, chemical fertilizers, have introduced polluting nitrogen flows in quantities exceeding natural flows. Today, industrial activities release about 90 million tons of nitrogen oxide. nitrogen (NOx) and ammonia (NH3) annually into the atmosphere. In addition, the chemical fertilizers They add an estimated 80 million tons of nitrogen compounds to the earth, an alarming amount.
Understand the cycle of nitrogen It is crucial to predict how the ocean can respond to climate change. The nitrogen is one of the essential nutrients that limit life in the oceans and its imbalance seriously affects marine life. The exchanges of nitrogen are dominated by microbial transformations, since the biomass can only assimilate nitrogen in mineral forms (NO3- and NH4+).
Oxygen minimum zones (OMZ)
In the oceans, there are areas known as Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZ), where microbes, lacking oxygen, resort to various sources of oxygen. dissolved scourge to survive. This process leads to the production of large amounts of gases with Greenhouseand nitrogen oxides or nitrogen oxides (N2O), a gas 300 times more powerful than CO2. This gas is then released into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming.
The increase in N2O levels This is extremely worrying, as it contributes directly to the climate crisis. The study of these areas is essential because the expansion of these deoxygenated spaces is linked to the influence of climate change and what appears to be a constant reorganization of marine biogeochemistry.
Impact of climate change on the oceans
El climate change is causing unprecedented changes in the oceans. One of the most notable impacts is the increase in ocean temperaturesAccording to the IPCC, since the 70s, humans have been the main cause of increased ocean heat. In recent years, there have been marine heat waves more frequent, lasting and intense, which have caused the coral bleaching and the later destruction of reefs.
An alarming fact is that, in 2021, nearly 60% of the world's ocean surface experienced at least one episode of heat waves. These events are one of the main causes of the loss of marine biodiversityRising temperatures have also caused many marine species to migrate to colder waters, upsetting the balance of ecosystems and affecting the food security of human populations that depend on the ocean.
ocean acidification
Another direct consequence of climate change is the ocean acidificationThis phenomenon occurs because the oceans absorb large amounts of CO2, which modifies the chemistry of the water, decreasing its pHAcidification particularly affects organisms that rely on calcium carbonate to form their shells and skeletons, such as corals, mollusks and calcifying phytoplankton.
Chemical imbalances in the water not only put these species at risk, but also threaten all the creatures that depend on them, as they are the basis of many marine food chains. As the oceans become more acidic, the vulnerability of marine ecosystems to other stressors, such as warming and pollution, also increases.
Rising sea levels
El Rising sea levels This is another serious consequence of climate change. Since the 90s, seas have risen at an alarming rate due to the melting of polar ice and the thermal expansion of warming water. Regions such as the Tropical Pacific have experienced sea level rises of more than 15 centimetres, putting many coastal communities at risk.
This phenomenon not only affects marine life, but also has serious implications for millions of people living in low-lying coastal regions. Flooding, erosion and salinization of freshwater sources are just some of the consequences we are already seeing.
Measures to mitigate human impact
Although much of the effects of climate change on the oceans can no longer be reversed, it is still possible to mitigate their impact and adapt to changes. Some of the key actions include: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the restoration of marine ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs, and the implementation of international policies to curb overfishing and marine pollution.
It is also essential to promote the sustainable blue economy, which seeks to use ocean resources in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner. Companies and governments have a responsibility to adopt innovative solutions that minimize the impact of human activities on the oceans.
Increased ocean research and monitoring is essential to developing more efficient solutions. Only through collective action At local and international levels, we can protect the oceans and ensure their ability to continue to play their crucial role in regulating the climate and life on Earth.
Climate change and its impact on the oceans is a global challenge that is affecting all living things on the planet. From the microbial processes that regulate nutrient cycles to visible ecosystems like coral reefs, it is imperative that we take action now to ensure that these systems can continue to nurture life on Earth for future generations. Science has shown us the way; now, it is up to us to act on that knowledge.