{"id":480190,"date":"2026-10-18T12:33:06","date_gmt":"2026-10-18T19:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=480190"},"modified":"2026-10-18T12:33:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-18T19:33:08","slug":"seasonal-co%e2%82%82-swings-amplify-in-the-indian-ocean-as-climate-warms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=480190","title":{"rendered":"Seasonal CO\u2082 Swings Amplify in the Indian Ocean as Climate Warms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"485\" data-attachment-id=\"480191\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=480191\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Seasonal-CO%E2%82%82-Swings-Amplify-in-the-Indian-Ocean-as-Climate-Warms.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1168,784\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;b65f32b4-26dd-4202-b0ab-de34adadef57&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Signature: 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&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"0 Seasonal CO\u2082 Swings Amplify in the Indian Ocean as Climate Warms\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Signature: 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&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Seasonal-CO%E2%82%82-Swings-Amplify-in-the-Indian-Ocean-as-Climate-Warms.jpg?fit=723%2C485&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Seasonal-CO%E2%82%82-Swings-Amplify-in-the-Indian-Ocean-as-Climate-Warms.jpg?resize=723%2C485&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Infographic showing seasonal CO2 swings in the Indian Ocean, illustrating increased carbon uptake in summer and lower uptake in winter, alongside climate warming effects and monsoon wind patterns.\" class=\"wp-image-480191\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Seasonal-CO%E2%82%82-Swings-Amplify-in-the-Indian-Ocean-as-Climate-Warms.jpg?resize=1024%2C687&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Seasonal-CO%E2%82%82-Swings-Amplify-in-the-Indian-Ocean-as-Climate-Warms.jpg?resize=300%2C201&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Seasonal-CO%E2%82%82-Swings-Amplify-in-the-Indian-Ocean-as-Climate-Warms.jpg?resize=768%2C516&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Seasonal-CO%E2%82%82-Swings-Amplify-in-the-Indian-Ocean-as-Climate-Warms.jpg?resize=640%2C430&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Seasonal-CO%E2%82%82-Swings-Amplify-in-the-Indian-Ocean-as-Climate-Warms.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">AI generated by Grok<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>New research suggests that climate- driven changes are amplifying seasonal CO\u2082 exchange patterns in parts of the Indian Ocean, which could influence its role as a climate buffer, though this does not automatically mean greater overall carbon absorption.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Published on Phys.org on October 18, 2026, and written by Hannah Bird, the article covers a study in <em>Geophysical Research Letters<\/em> (Joshi et al., 2026; DOI: 10.1029\/2026GL123472) led by Dr. Apurva Padamanbh Joshi of the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services. It analyzes data from 1980- 2019 on how seasonal air- sea CO\u2082 exchange has evolved across Indian Ocean regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Key findings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Seasonal variation in CO\u2082 exchange increased by <strong>48%<\/strong> in the equatorial Indian Ocean and <strong>23%<\/strong> in the southern Indian Ocean (greater contrast between seasonal highs and lows).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It decreased by <strong>14% <\/strong>in the Arabian Sea and rose modestly (~7%) in the Bay of Bengal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average CO\u2082 release to the atmosphere decreased in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and equatorial Indian Ocean, while absorption increased in the southern Indian Ocean. Larger seasonal swings do not necessarily equal higher net carbon uptake.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Drivers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the equatorial and southern Indian Ocean, changes in the CO\u2082 partial- pressure difference between surface water and the atmosphere were key.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, shifts in wind speed (which affect gas transfer across the air-sea interface) played a larger role.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Similar seasonal amplification has been noted in parts of the Pacific and Atlantic, indicating broader ocean responses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Context and implications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oceans absorbed roughly 26% of human- caused CO\u2082 emissions from 2014- 2023 (per the Global Carbon Budget 2024), but capacity growth has slowed since around 2016 amid rising climate variability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Temperature, winds, circulation, and existing dissolved CO\u2082 levels all influence the exchange: cooler water tends to absorb more, while warming can favor release, modulated by currents and other factors.<a href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-10-indian-ocean-stronger-climate-buffer.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2060<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The study focuses on historical changes rather than future projections. It highlights that seasonal processes are being reshaped regionally, which matters for accurate carbon- budget estimates (annual averages can miss timing shifts) and for marine ecosystems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Greater CO\u2082 absorption increases ocean acidification, reducing carbonate ions needed by corals and shell-forming organisms; repeated seasonal extremes could stress recovery and affect biodiversity and productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, the findings provide a finer picture of the Indian Ocean\u2019s evolving contribution to the global carbon cycle and its buffering of atmospheric CO\u2082. Further work is needed to determine long- term effects on storage capacity as warming continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"553\" data-attachment-id=\"480199\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=480199\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-124.png?fit=1694%2C1296&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1694,1296\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-124.png?fit=723%2C553&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-124.png?resize=723%2C553&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Illustration of the carbon cycle, showing various carbon reservoirs such as the atmosphere, vegetation, soils, oceans, and fossil fuels, along with fluxes of carbon measured in gigatons per year.\" class=\"wp-image-480199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-124.png?resize=1024%2C783&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-124.png?resize=300%2C230&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-124.png?resize=768%2C588&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-124.png?resize=1536%2C1175&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-124.png?resize=640%2C490&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-124.png?w=1694&amp;ssl=1 1694w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-124.png?w=1446&amp;ssl=1 1446w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Diagrammatic representation of the global carbon cycle. Credit: Wikimedia Commons\/ PD-USGov-NASA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Indian Ocean plays a significant but regionally complex role in the global carbon cycle.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It acts as a modest net sink for atmospheric CO\u2082 overall, absorbing a portion of human- caused emissions and helping buffer climate change, though its behavior differs sharply between northern and southern regions and is strongly modulated by the monsoon system, ocean circulation, temperature, biology, and climate variability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Overview of the Ocean Carbon Cycle (Relevant to the Indian Ocean)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oceans exchange CO\u2082 continuously with the atmosphere. When the partial pressure of CO\u2082 in surface seawater (pCO\u2082) is lower than in the air, the ocean absorbs CO\u2082 (a sink); when higher, it releases CO\u2082 (a source). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key controls include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Solubility pump:<\/strong> Cooler water holds more CO\u2082. Warming reduces solubility and can promote outgassing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biological pump:<\/strong> Phytoplankton take up CO\u2082 via photosynthesis; some organic carbon sinks to deeper waters, sequestering it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Physical factors:<\/strong> Winds enhance gas transfer across the air-sea interface; upwelling brings CO\u2082-rich deep water to the surface; currents and stratification redistribute carbon; freshwater inputs (e.g., rivers) affect alkalinity and pCO\u2082.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anthropogenic influence:<\/strong> Rising atmospheric CO\u2082 drives net ocean uptake, but also causes ocean acidification (lower pH) as CO\u2082 forms carbonic acid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Globally, oceans absorb roughly 25- 28% of anthropogenic CO\u2082 emissions. The Indian Ocean contributes a share of this, estimated at a net uptake of about \u22120.07 to \u22120.19 PgC\/yr (petagrams of carbon per year; negative = sink) north of ~37.5\u00b0S for recent decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Regional Patterns in the Indian Ocean<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The basin is not uniform:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Northern Indian Ocean (north of ~15\u201318\u00b0S):<\/strong> Generally a net source of CO\u2082 to the atmosphere.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Arabian Sea (northwestern):<\/strong> Strong perennial source, especially due to intense upwelling during the Southwest Monsoon that brings carbon-rich deep waters to the surface.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bay of Bengal (northeastern):<\/strong> Often a moderate net sink, influenced by large freshwater inputs from rivers that lower salinity and can suppress pCO\u2082.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Southern Indian Ocean (south of ~15- 18\u00b0S, especially 15- 50\u00b0S):<\/strong> A significant sink. Cooler temperatures, subduction of surface waters, and biological activity favor CO\u2082 absorption. This region helps make the overall Indian Ocean a weak net sink.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0079661124000168\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2060<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The equatorial Indian Ocean is closer to neutral (neither strong source nor sink) due to relatively deep thermocline and weaker upwelling compared to the equatorial Pacific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seasonal and Interannual Variability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Indian Ocean\u2019s carbon cycle is strongly seasonal because of the reversing monsoon winds and currents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Large seasonal swings<\/strong> in pCO\u2082 and air- sea CO\u2082 flux are linked to monsoon- driven changes in temperature, winds, upwelling, and biological production.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Recent research<\/strong> (1980- 2019 data) shows these seasonal variations have amplified: +48% in the equatorial Indian Ocean and +23% in the southern Indian Ocean, with a decrease (\u221214%) in the Arabian Sea and a modest increase (~7%) in the Bay of Bengal. Drivers include changes in the air-sea pCO\u2082 difference (especially equatorial and southern regions) and wind speeds (Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal). Average outgassing has decreased in northern and equatorial areas while southern uptake has increased.<a href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-10-indian-ocean-stronger-climate-buffer.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2060<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Interannual variability is strongly influenced by the <strong>Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)<\/strong> and its interactions with<strong> El Ni\u00f1o- Southern Oscillation (ENSO)<\/strong>. Positive IOD events can enhance outgassing in parts of the southeastern tropical Indian Ocean via upwelling and changes<strong> in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC)<\/strong> and alkalinity. Circulation changes (e.g., Indonesian Throughflow, Southern Ocean inflows) can also cause large interior carbon accumulation anomalies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Biological and Other Processes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Primary production (photosynthesis) is substantial, with satellite- based estimates around 8 Gt C\/yr for the basin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Respiration in deeper (aphotic) layers recycles carbon, influencing DIC distributions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dust and iron deposition from the atmosphere can stimulate biological uptake in some areas, though effects vary north- south.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Indian Ocean is relatively undersampled compared to other basins, leading to greater uncertainty in flux estimates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Climate Change Impacts and Buffering Role<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Warming, changing monsoons, and rising atmospheric CO\u2082 are altering the cycle. Amplifying seasonal CO\u2082 exchange does not automatically increase the net annual sink, but it reshapes <em>when<\/em> and <em>how strongly<\/em> exchange occurs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This matters for accurate carbon budgets (annual averages can miss timing shifts) and for marine ecosystems: greater CO\u2082 uptake increases <strong>acidification<\/strong>, which reduces carbonate availability for corals, shellfish, and other calcifiers. Extreme seasonal conditions may hinder ecosystem recovery.<a href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-10-indian-ocean-stronger-climate-buffer.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2060<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, the Indian Ocean continues to act as a climate buffer by taking up anthropogenic CO\u2082, with evidence of a strengthening sink in some analyses (~0.02 PgC\/yr per decade in certain periods). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, its capacity and reliability depend on ongoing physical and biological changes. Continued observations and modeling are essential, especially given data sparsity in parts of the basin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">_____________________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean both act as net sinks for atmospheric CO\u2082 and contribute meaningfully to the global ocean carbon sink, but they differ substantially in magnitude, regional patterns, drivers, seasonal behavior, and efficiency of carbon storage.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Net CO\u2082 Flux (Air-Sea Exchange)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Indian Ocean: <\/strong>A relatively modest net sink, typically estimated at about \u22120.07 to \u22120.19 PgC\/yr (north of ~37.5\u00b0S) for recent multi- decadal periods (e.g., 1985- 2018). Northern areas (especially the Arabian Sea) are sources, while the southern subtropical region is a stronger sink. One reconstruction puts the full Indian Ocean sink near \u22120.30 PgC\/yr.<a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250415002237id_\/https:\/agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1029\/2023GB007694\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2060<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Atlantic Ocean:<\/strong> A stronger net sink overall, with basin- wide estimates around \u22120.36 to \u22120.47 PgC\/yr (1985- 2018, including the Mediterranean in some assessments). The North Atlantic (particularly subpolar regions) is an intense sink; the tropical Atlantic is a moderate source due to upwelling. The North Atlantic alone (a small fraction of global ocean area) can account for a disproportionately large share of global uptake.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In relative terms, the Atlantic often contributes a larger share of the global ocean sink relative to its size than the Indian Ocean. Both basins show evidence of a strengthening sink over recent decades in response to rising atmospheric CO\u2082, though interannual variability (e.g., linked to ENSO and IOD in the Indian Ocean or AMOC changes in the Atlantic) can modulate this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Regional Contrasts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Indian Ocean:<\/strong> Strong north- south contrast driven by the monsoon. The northwestern Arabian Sea is a perennial source (strong summer upwelling brings CO\u2082- rich deep water to the surface). The Bay of Bengal is closer to neutral or a mild sink (influenced by large river freshwater inputs that lower salinity and pCO\u2082). The equatorial region is near neutral. The southern Indian Ocean (south of ~15- 18\u00b0S) is the main sink region.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0079661124000168\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2060<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Atlantic Ocean:<\/strong> Stronger high- latitude sink in the North Atlantic due to cooling of poleward- flowing waters (increasing solubility) and biological drawdown, combined with deep convection and the <strong>Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)<\/strong>. The tropical Atlantic is a source (upwelling), while the South Atlantic is a sink. Coastal and open-ocean differences exist, but the North Atlantic\u2019s efficiency is notable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike the equatorial Pacific (a major source) or equatorial Atlantic (a source), the equatorial Indian Ocean is closer to neutral because of its unique wind patterns and deeper thermocline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Drivers and Physical Processes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Indian Ocean:<\/strong> Dominated by seasonal monsoon wind reversal, upwelling (especially Arabian Sea), riverine freshwater inputs (Bay of Bengal), and connections via the Indonesian Throughflow and Southern Ocean inflows. Both solubility and biological pumps matter, with solubility more influential in the north and both important in the south. <strong>Climate modes <\/strong>like the <strong>Indian Ocean Dipole<\/strong> strongly affect interannual flux variability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Atlantic Ocean:<\/strong> Strongly influenced by the AMOC, which ventilates deep waters and efficiently transfers anthropogenic carbon (C\u2090\u2099\u209c) into the interior. The North Atlantic is a key entry point for C\u2090\u2099\u209c into the deep ocean. Heat loss, biological export, and western boundary currents (e.g., Gulf Stream cooling) enhance uptake. A significant fraction of Atlantic C\u2090\u2099\u209c accumulation comes from lateral transport from the Southern Ocean.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Atlantic stores a large share of global oceanic anthropogenic carbon relative to its area (historically ~23% despite covering ~15% of the ocean), thanks to deep ventilation. The Indian Ocean stores less efficiently in its northern (landlocked) portion but receives carbon via throughflow and Southern Ocean connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Seasonal Variability<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both oceans show pronounced seasonal cycles in CO\u2082 exchange, with cooler seasons favoring stronger sinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>In the Indian Ocean<\/strong>, monsoon-driven changes produce large seasonal swings in pCO\u2082 and flux; recent studies show these seasonal amplitudes have increased substantially in equatorial and southern regions (e.g., +48% equatorial, +23% southern from 1980- 2019).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In the Atlantic<\/strong>, seasonal amplitude is also significant (especially subtropics and high latitudes), with winter cooling and biological activity enhancing uptake. Amplification of seasonal pCO\u2082 cycles due to anthropogenic carbon accumulation is a broader ocean phenomenon observed in both basins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Climate Change and Buffering Role<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both basins help buffer atmospheric CO\u2082 rise and are experiencing acidification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Atlantic\u2019s deep ventilation makes it particularly important for long- term sequestration of anthropogenic carbon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Indian Ocean\u2019s role is more surface- and intermediate- depth oriented in many areas, with greater sensitivity to monsoon and IOD changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Warming reduces solubility in both, but circulation changes (e.g., potential AMOC weakening vs. monsoon shifts) will affect future uptake differently. The Indian Ocean remains more undersampled than the Atlantic in many datasets (e.g., SOCAT), adding uncertainty to its estimates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In summary:<\/strong> <strong>The Atlantic<\/strong> is generally a more efficient and stronger net CO\u2082 sink per unit area (especially in the North Atlantic), with superior deep- ocean carbon storage via overturning circulation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Indian Ocean <\/strong>is a weaker overall sink with sharper regional contrasts (northern sources vs. southern sink) tightly coupled to monsoon dynamics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both are critical components of the <strong>global ocean carbon cycle<\/strong>, and ongoing changes in their seasonal and interannual behavior will influence how reliably they continue to act as climate buffers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">_____________________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean basin and plays a dual role in the global carbon cycle: it is the world\u2019s biggest oceanic source of CO\u2082 in its equatorial region, yet overall, it functions as a net sink of comparable magnitude to the Atlantic (and larger than the Indian Ocean in absolute terms), thanks to strong uptake in its subtropical and higher- latitude zones.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Net CO\u2082 Flux (Air- Sea Exchange)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pacific:<\/strong> Basin- wide net uptake is typically estimated at roughly \u22120.4 to \u22120.5 PgC\/yr (e.g., \u22120.41 \u00b1 0.12 PgC\/yr from observation- based pCO\u2082 products and \u22120.51 \u00b1 0.16 PgC\/yr from models for <del>(<\/del>\u22120.7 PgC\/yr), offsetting substantial natural outgassing. The net sink has been strengthening at rates around \u22120.08 to \u22120.09 PgC\/yr per decade.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Comparison:<\/strong> This places the Pacific\u2019s net sink in a similar range to the Atlantic (\u22120.36 to \u22120.47 PgC\/yr) and larger in absolute terms than the Indian Ocean (\u22120.07 to \u22120.30 PgC\/yr depending on the exact domain). Despite covering nearly half the global ocean area, the Pacific\u2019s <em>net<\/em> contribution is moderated by its powerful equatorial source. In some climatologies, the three basins contribute roughly similarly to global open- ocean uptake when coastal zones are included (Pacific and Atlantic each ~25%, Indian ~20%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Regional Patterns<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Equatorial Pacific:<\/strong> The dominant global oceanic CO\u2082 source. Strong upwelling of carbon-rich deep water (especially in the eastern \u201ccold tongue\u201d) releases ~0.4- 0.7 PgC\/yr or more on average, often accounting for a large fraction of total oceanic outgassing. This far exceeds the tropical Atlantic source and the more localized northern Indian Ocean sources (e.g., Arabian Sea). The western equatorial Pacific is closer to neutral or occasionally a weak sink.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/359411848_Relationships_Between_Air-Sea_CO2_Flux_and_New_Production_in_the_Equatorial_Pacific\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2060<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Subtropical Pacific:<\/strong> Strong sinks, particularly in the North Pacific subtropical gyre, driven by cooling of waters and biological activity. These help offset equatorial outgassing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Higher latitudes:<\/strong> Uptake occurs in subpolar regions, though less intense per unit area than the North Atlantic\u2019s deep-convection zones. The North Pacific lacks the Atlantic\u2019s vigorous deep-water formation, so anthropogenic carbon (C\u2090\u2099\u209c) penetration is shallower (mainly intermediate depths).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>In contrast:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Atlantic <\/strong>has intense high- latitude (especially North Atlantic) sinks and efficient deep ventilation via the AMOC.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Indian Ocean<\/strong> shows a clear north\u2013 south divide (northern sources vs. southern sink) tightly tied to the monsoon, without a single dominant equatorial source like the Pacific\u2019s.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Drivers and Variability<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pacific: <\/strong>Dominated by the El Ni\u00f1o- Southern Oscillation (ENSO). During El Ni\u00f1o, equatorial upwelling weakens and outgassing decreases sharply (sometimes nearly shutting off the source); during La Ni\u00f1a, outgassing intensifies. This makes the tropical Pacific the largest contributor to interannual variability in the global ocean carbon sink. Subtropical and higher -latitude uptake is influenced by gyre circulation, seasonal temperature changes, and biology.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Seasonal cycles:<\/strong> Present but often secondary to interannual ENSO- driven swings in the tropics. Seasonal amplification of pCO\u2082 cycles (linked to anthropogenic carbon accumulation) occurs, similar to other basins.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Comparison:<\/strong> The Indian Ocean\u2019s variability is more monsoon- and IOD- driven with strong seasonal signals that have recently amplified. The Atlantic has notable seasonal cycles (especially high latitudes) and is influenced by AMOC strength and North Atlantic Oscillation variability but lacks the Pacific\u2019s extreme interannual equatorial swings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Anthropogenic Carbon Storage and Efficiency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Pacific stores a large absolute amount of C\u2090\u2099\u209c due to its size, but less efficiently per unit area than the Atlantic. The North Atlantic\u2019s deep convection allows deeper and more rapid sequestration. Pacific C\u2090\u2099\u209c is mostly confined to intermediate depths via mode and intermediate water subduction. The Southern Ocean (shared influence) is a major entry point for all basins, with subsequent redistribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Climate Change Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All three basins are experiencing rising uptake of anthropogenic CO\u2082, ocean acidification, and changes in seasonal and interannual patterns. The Pacific\u2019s equatorial source region is particularly sensitive to ENSO changes and warming (which can affect upwelling and solubility). Its large area means even modest per-area changes have global impact. Data coverage in the Pacific is generally better than in the Indian Ocean but still sparse in some southern regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Summary comparison:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pacific:<\/strong> Largest source region (equatorial) and large subtropical sinks \u2192 moderate- to- strong net sink; high interannual variability (ENSO).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Atlantic:<\/strong> Strongest high  latitude sinks and efficient deep storage (AMOC) \u2192 strong net sink relative to size.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indian:<\/strong> Modest net sink with sharp monsoon- driven north\u2013 south contrast and growing seasonal amplitude.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Together, the three major ocean basins (plus the Southern Ocean) form the backbone of the oceanic carbon sink that absorbs roughly a quarter of human CO\u2082 emissions each year. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Pacific\u2019s unique combination of a massive natural source and extensive sink regions makes its behavior especially important for understanding global carbon- cycle variability.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"511\" data-attachment-id=\"480229\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=480229\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-125.png?fit=2128%2C1505&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2128,1505\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-125.png?fit=723%2C511&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-125.png?resize=723%2C511&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Graph comparing \u03b4pCO2 (\u03bcatm) across four regions: AS, BoB, EIO, and SIO, showing trends from 1980-89 and 2010-19 with three data series: Thermal (red), Non-Thermal (blue), and \u03b4pCO2 (black).\" class=\"wp-image-480229\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-125.png?resize=1024%2C724&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-125.png?resize=300%2C212&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-125.png?resize=768%2C543&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-125.png?resize=1536%2C1086&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-125.png?resize=2048%2C1448&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-125.png?resize=640%2C453&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-125.png?w=1446&amp;ssl=1 1446w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Changes in surface CO\u2082 levels and the factors driving them across four Indian Ocean regions\u2014the Arabian Sea (AS), Bay of Bengal (BoB), Equatorial Indian Ocean (EIO) and Southern Indian Ocean (SIO)\u2014during the 1980s and 2010s. Black lines show CO\u2082 changes, while red and blue lines represent the effects of temperature and non-temperature related factors, respectively. Dashed lines represent the 1980s and solid lines the 2010s. Credit: Joshi et al, 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Climate Change Induced Seasonal Amplification of the Indian Ocean CO<sub>2<\/sub> Sink<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Key findings from the paper (based on available summaries)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The study analyzed air- sea CO\u2082 exchange across the Indian Ocean from <strong>1980 to 2019<\/strong>, focusing on changes in seasonal variability:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Seasonal amplitude increased by:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>48%<\/strong> in the equatorial Indian Ocean<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>23%<\/strong> in the southern Indian Ocean<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>~7% <\/strong>in the Bay of Bengal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It decreased by <strong>14%<\/strong> in the Arabian Sea<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mean CO\u2082 release to the atmosphere <strong>decreased<\/strong> in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and equatorial Indian Ocean.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CO\u2082 absorption increased in the southern Indian Ocean.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drivers differed by region:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Equatorial and southern Indian Ocean \u2192 mainly changes in the air-sea difference in CO\u2082 partial pressure (\u0394pCO\u2082).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal \u2192 primarily changes in wind speed (affecting gas-transfer velocity).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important caveat emphasized in the work:<\/strong> Larger seasonal swings do <strong>not<\/strong> automatically mean a stronger net annual carbon sink. The amplification reshapes the <em>timing and intensity<\/em> of exchange within the year rather than necessarily increasing total uptake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The paper frames these changes as a response to <strong>climate change<\/strong> (warming, altered circulation and monsoon patterns, and rising atmospheric CO\u2082) and notes implications for marine ecosystems (via acidification) and for carbon- budget estimates that rely only on annual averages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is one of the more detailed observational analyses of seasonal CO\u2082 flux changes specifically in the Indian Ocean. It complements broader findings that seasonal pCO\u2082 amplitudes are increasing across much of the global ocean due to anthropogenic carbon accumulation (which reduces the ocean\u2019s buffer capacity and makes pCO\u2082 more sensitive to temperature and biology).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Journal:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/journals\/geophysical-research-letters\/\">Geophysical Research Letters<\/a>, (2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>DOI:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1029\/2026gl123472\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">10.1029\/2026gl123472<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>First published:<\/strong> 30 September 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Authors:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/authored-by\/Joshi\/A.+P.\">A. P. Joshi<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/authored-by\/Chakraborty\/Kunal\">Kunal Chakraborty<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/authored-by\/Sarma\/V.+V.%C2%A0S.+S.\">V. V.\u00a0S. S. Sarma<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/authored-by\/Ghoshal\/Prasanna+Kanti\">Prasanna Kanti Ghoshal<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/authored-by\/Sridevi\/B.\">B. Sridevi<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/authored-by\/Lachkar\/Zouhair\">Zouhair Lachkar<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Abstract<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This study investigates changes in the mean and seasonal states of oceanic carbon uptake across the Indian Ocean (IO) using an improved, high-resolution, observationally constrained long-term (1980\u20132019) surface ocean pCO2<math xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1998\/Math\/MathML\" display=\"inline\"><semantics><\/semantics><\/math> data product. The Arabian Sea shows a \u223c14% decline in CO2<math xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1998\/Math\/MathML\" display=\"inline\"><semantics><\/semantics><\/math> flux amplitude along with reduced mean source strength. In contrast, the Equatorial IO exhibits the largest increase in seasonal amplitude (\u223c48%), followed by the Southern IO (\u223c23%), while the Bay of Bengal shows only a modest change (\u223c7%). Despite these differences, mean source strength decreases in both the Bay of Bengal and Equatorial IO, whereas the Southern IO shows an enhanced carbon sink. Amplitude changes in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are driven by shifts in flux sensitivity to wind speed and evolving seasonality of the ocean-atmosphere pCO2<math xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1998\/Math\/MathML\" display=\"inline\"><semantics><\/semantics><\/math> gradient, whereas in the Equatorial and Southern regions, they are primarily controlled by the evolving pCO2<math xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1998\/Math\/MathML\" display=\"inline\"><semantics><\/semantics><\/math> gradient alone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New research suggests that climate- driven changes are amplifying seasonal CO\u2082 exchange patterns in parts of the Indian Ocean, which could influence its role as a climate buffer, though this does not automatically mean greater overall carbon absorption.<\/p>\n<p>The Indian Ocean plays a significant but regionally complex role in the global carbon cycle.<\/p>\n<p>It acts as a modest net sink for atmospheric CO\u2082 overall, absorbing a portion of human- caused emissions and helping buffer climate change, though its behavior differs sharply between northern and southern regions and is strongly modulated by the monsoon system, ocean circulation, temperature, biology, and climate variability.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121246920,"featured_media":480191,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advanced_seo_description":"Discover how climate change amplifies seasonal CO\u2082 exchange in the Indian Ocean, influencing its carbon absorption and global climate dynamics.","jetpack_seo_html_title":"Amplified Seasonal CO\u2082 Changes in the Indian Ocean Explained","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[691825575,691821384,691821431,691829997,691846507,691818056,691845660,691827426,691844958,691846506,691846505,691818830],"class_list":["post-480190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-acidification","tag-atlantic-meridional-overturning-circulation-amoc","tag-atlantic-ocean","tag-carbon-dioxide-co","tag-carbon-flux","tag-climate-change","tag-el-nino-southern-oscillation-enso-7","tag-indian-ocean","tag-indian-ocean-dipole-iod","tag-monsoon-patterns","tag-ocean-carbon-cycle","tag-pacific-ocean","fallback-thumbnail"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paxLW1-20V0","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":465962,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=465962","url_meta":{"origin":480190,"position":0},"title":"Volcanic Eruptions and Global Warming Shatter Centuries-Old Link Between Indian and Pacific Oceans","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"08\/26\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A new study from researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), published in Nature Communications on August 26, 2026, finds that large volcanic eruptions and human-caused climate warming can disrupt the long-standing coupling between climate variability in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans.","rel":"","context":"In \"Climate change\"","block_context":{"text":"Climate change","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=climate-change"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0-Volcanic-Eruptions-and-Global-Warming-Shatter-Centuries-Old-Link-Between-Indian-and-Pacific-Oceans.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0-Volcanic-Eruptions-and-Global-Warming-Shatter-Centuries-Old-Link-Between-Indian-and-Pacific-Oceans.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0-Volcanic-Eruptions-and-Global-Warming-Shatter-Centuries-Old-Link-Between-Indian-and-Pacific-Oceans.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0-Volcanic-Eruptions-and-Global-Warming-Shatter-Centuries-Old-Link-Between-Indian-and-Pacific-Oceans.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/0-Volcanic-Eruptions-and-Global-Warming-Shatter-Centuries-Old-Link-Between-Indian-and-Pacific-Oceans.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":251043,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=251043","url_meta":{"origin":480190,"position":1},"title":"Play Station science: Deep ocean currents around Antarctica headed for collapse, study finds","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"04\/04\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"From Watts Up With That? More Play Station science from the University of New South Wales-cr UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES The deep ocean circulation that forms around Antarctica could be headed for collapse, say scientists. Such decline of this ocean circulation will stagnate the bottom of the oceans and\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/01a00FePicTEXwAEkBio.jpeg?fit=1200%2C780&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/01a00FePicTEXwAEkBio.jpeg?fit=1200%2C780&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/01a00FePicTEXwAEkBio.jpeg?fit=1200%2C780&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/01a00FePicTEXwAEkBio.jpeg?fit=1200%2C780&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/01a00FePicTEXwAEkBio.jpeg?fit=1200%2C780&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":448448,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=448448","url_meta":{"origin":480190,"position":2},"title":"The CO2 Enigma in Deep Ocean Currents","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"06\/04\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Deep Ocean Currents have been well documented in the World\u2019s Oceans ((Heezen, Hollister and Ruddiman, 1966; Hollister, 1967; Pequegnat et al. 1972; Shepard et al. 1979; Shanmugam, 2016, 2017, 2021). Although there are claims of impact of CO2 on deep ocean currents, there are no published empirical data on measurements\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Atmospheric and Oceanic CO2 Measurements\"","block_context":{"text":"Atmospheric and Oceanic CO2 Measurements","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=atmospheric-and-oceanic-co2-measurements"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0-Copilot_The-CO2-Enigma-in-Deep-Ocean-Currents.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0-Copilot_The-CO2-Enigma-in-Deep-Ocean-Currents.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0-Copilot_The-CO2-Enigma-in-Deep-Ocean-Currents.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0-Copilot_The-CO2-Enigma-in-Deep-Ocean-Currents.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":286752,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=286752","url_meta":{"origin":480190,"position":3},"title":"Solving the Climate Puzzle: The Sun\u2019s Surprising Role","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"11\/05\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Climate change is the most important scientific issue of our time, catalyzing a profound societal shift based on our perceived understanding of it. While many books explain what we already know about climate change, this book explores what we admit we do not understand about it (the known unknowns). In\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Atlantic Ocean\"","block_context":{"text":"Atlantic Ocean","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=atlantic-ocean"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/00Screenshot-2023-11-05-211833.png?fit=730%2C816&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/00Screenshot-2023-11-05-211833.png?fit=730%2C816&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/00Screenshot-2023-11-05-211833.png?fit=730%2C816&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/00Screenshot-2023-11-05-211833.png?fit=730%2C816&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":258167,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=258167","url_meta":{"origin":480190,"position":4},"title":"Cyclone Mocha: Don\u2019t Fall for the Climate\u00a0Bait","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"05\/19\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"On May 14, Cyclone Mocha made landfall near Myanmar and Bangladesh. It was not surprising to see many mainstream media blame climate change for it. The pattern has now become common.","rel":"","context":"In \"Bangladesh\"","block_context":{"text":"Bangladesh","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=bangladesh"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/00Cyclone-Mocha-1280x706-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C662&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/00Cyclone-Mocha-1280x706-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C662&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/00Cyclone-Mocha-1280x706-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C662&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/00Cyclone-Mocha-1280x706-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C662&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/00Cyclone-Mocha-1280x706-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C662&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":445594,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=445594","url_meta":{"origin":480190,"position":5},"title":"Researchers Find Rapid Global Warming Phase At End Of Last Ice Age (Ca.18,000 Years Ago)","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"05\/21\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Glacial oceans had stronger stratification with saltier, denser deep waters helping sequester CO\u2082. Deglaciation disrupted this, leading to mixing that brought both heat and salt (and CO\u2082) upward. The \"salty blob\" in the deep Indian Ocean acted as a reservoir that influenced surface properties when ventilation increased.","rel":"","context":"In \"\"salty blob\"\"","block_context":{"text":"\"salty blob\"","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=salty-blob"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-Prehistoric-Ocean-Layers-as-a-Possible-Factor-in-Warming.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-Prehistoric-Ocean-Layers-as-a-Possible-Factor-in-Warming.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-Prehistoric-Ocean-Layers-as-a-Possible-Factor-in-Warming.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-Prehistoric-Ocean-Layers-as-a-Possible-Factor-in-Warming.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0-Prehistoric-Ocean-Layers-as-a-Possible-Factor-in-Warming.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0-Seasonal-CO%E2%82%82-Swings-Amplify-in-the-Indian-Ocean-as-Climate-Warms.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/121246920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=480190"}],"version-history":[{"count":48,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":480241,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480190\/revisions\/480241"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/480191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=480190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=480190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=480190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}