A group of researchers, led by a Tulane University oceanographer, has made a groundbreaking discovery about the Earth’s climate during the last ice age over 11,000 years ago. By studying deep-sea deposits, they have found a way to measure ocean oxygen levels and their relationship with atmospheric carbon dioxide.
During the transition from ice ages to warmer periods, the oceans play a crucial role in regulating atmospheric CO2 levels by releasing stored carbon. The study shows a clear link between global ocean oxygen levels and atmospheric CO2, indicating that as the climate warms, carbon release from the deep sea may increase.
Yi Wang, the lead researcher and an assistant professor at Tulane University, emphasized the significance of the Southern Ocean in controlling global ocean oxygen levels and carbon storage. This has important implications for understanding how the ocean, particularly the Southern Ocean, will impact future atmospheric CO2 levels.
Wang collaborated with scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, a renowned organization dedicated to ocean research, exploration, and education. Prior to joining Tulane in 2023, she was associated with the institute.
2024-01-21 23:00:04
Link from phys.org