Scientists see big job for southern seas
2 Dec 2011
Scientists say they are increasingly realising the importance of the Southern Ocean for New Zealand and Australia in the way that it acts as a "sink" absorbing a huge share of mankind's excess heat and carbon dioxide and slowing down the rate of climate change.
Researchers are investigating how this protection may wane as climate change continues and the Southern Ocean is affected by increased melting of sea ice and ice sheets, an influx of fresh water and a more rapid increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causing the globe to warm even faster.
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