New Study Reports Large-scale Salinity Changes in the Oceans
Saltier tropical oceans and fresher ocean waters near the poles are further signs of global warming's impacts on the planet
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
December 17, 2003
Tropical ocean waters have become dramatically saltier over the past 40 years, while oceans closer to Earth's poles have become fresher, scientists reported today in the journal Nature. Earth's warming surface may be intensifying evaporation over oceans in the low latitudes--raising salinity concentrations there--and transporting more fresh water vapor via the atmosphere toward Earth's poles.
These large-scale, relatively rapid oceanic changes suggest that recent climate changes, including global warming, may be altering the fundamental planetary system that regulates evaporation and precipitation and cycles fresh water around the globe.
Tropical and subtropical Atlantic waters have become dramatically saltier over the past 40 years, especially in the past decade, scientists reported today in Nature. Global warming may be intensifying evaporation, adding more fresh water vapor to the atmosphere and leaving tropical oceans relatively saltier. The evidence suggests that recent climate changes may be accelerating the fundamental planetary system that transports and cycles fresh water around the globe, which could trigger or amplify other significant climate changes.
Continued..... http://www.whoi.edu/media/saltchange.html
Saltier tropical oceans and fresher ocean waters near the poles are further signs of global warming's impacts on the planet
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
December 17, 2003
Tropical ocean waters have become dramatically saltier over the past 40 years, while oceans closer to Earth's poles have become fresher, scientists reported today in the journal Nature. Earth's warming surface may be intensifying evaporation over oceans in the low latitudes--raising salinity concentrations there--and transporting more fresh water vapor via the atmosphere toward Earth's poles.
These large-scale, relatively rapid oceanic changes suggest that recent climate changes, including global warming, may be altering the fundamental planetary system that regulates evaporation and precipitation and cycles fresh water around the globe.
Tropical and subtropical Atlantic waters have become dramatically saltier over the past 40 years, especially in the past decade, scientists reported today in Nature. Global warming may be intensifying evaporation, adding more fresh water vapor to the atmosphere and leaving tropical oceans relatively saltier. The evidence suggests that recent climate changes may be accelerating the fundamental planetary system that transports and cycles fresh water around the globe, which could trigger or amplify other significant climate changes.
Continued..... http://www.whoi.edu/media/saltchange.html
