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AUDIO: Ocean acidification a factor in global warming

Hear-This-wayAUDIO: Researchers identify new factor in global warming http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-26/researchers-identify-new-factor-in-global-warming/4912664 26 Aug 2013, 2:26pm AEST Researchers at the Max-Planck Institute for Meteorology in Germany have studied a factor in climate change which has not been included in previous climate change projections. They say that as the oceans take in more CO2, they will produce less of a sulphur compound which blocks radiation from the sun.

Simon Lauder

Source: The World Today | Duration: 4min 21sec

Topics: climate-change, earth-sciences, research-organisations, germany

Transcript

SCOTT BEVAN: A scientific study released today highlights a factor in global warming which has not previously been taken into account – and the news is not good.

It shows that, as the acid levels in sea water change, oceans will release less of a gas which protects against climate change.

It comes as another study on ocean acidification warns that ocean ecosystems will be in for substantial change as climate change strengthens its hold.

Simon Lauder reports.

SIMON LAUDER: The oceans are a vital factor in climate change: they reduce global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide. But that CO2 makes ocean water more acidic……….

SIMON LAUDER: When do you think these impacts will be felt? And what are the major implications for Australia?

WILL HOWARD: Well some of the impacts are already being felt. I mean we can actually detect some of them in the marine environment. The implications for Australia are that some of the ecosystems that we are mainly concerned with – like reefs such as Ningaloo and the Great Barrier Reef, but also temperate reef environments which are very important habitats for many of our important fisheries – similarly might be at risk from ocean acidification in combination with other impacts.

SIMON LAUDER: Now it seems the effects of ocean acidification may go well beyond the surface of the water.

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology in Germany say it may amplify climate change by causing a decrease in the production of a sulphur compound, dimethysulphide, which protects the atmosphere from solar radiation.

That study is also published today in the journal Nature Climate Change and its authors say this positive feedback loop has not been identified before.

The authors estimate the effect of less dimethysulphide in the atmosphere could increase global warming by nearly half of one degree by the end of this century.

They say this should be considered in future climate change projections.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-26/researchers-identify-new-factor-in-global-warming/4912664

August 27, 2013 - Posted by | 2 WORLD, climate change

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