Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have discovered that the harm inflicted by the ozone hole on the Southern Ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon can be mitigated—but this is contingent upon a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The Southern Ocean has a critical role in the global climate system, taking in substantial quantities of atmospheric carbon. However, its ability to perform this function has diminished in recent decades due to intensified winds resulting from ozone depletion. These winds disturb deep, carbon-rich waters, thereby limiting the ocean’s capacity to absorb additional carbon from the atmosphere. Currently, as the ozone layer begins to recover due to the 1987 Montreal Protocol, researchers indicate that this detrimental trend could potentially be reversed. Nevertheless, ongoing increases in greenhouse gas emissions may reignite the issue by once again amplifying wind patterns. “Our study demonstrates that the Southern Ocean’s recovery is achievable,” stated Dr. Tereza Jarnikova, the lead author and researcher at UEA’s Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. “However, this is only feasible if we maintain low levels of greenhouse gas emissions.” Employing sophisticated computer models, the research team simulated various scenarios that integrated ozone recovery with differing levels of greenhouse gas emissions from 1950 to 2100. The findings reveal that while the impact of the ozone hole is diminishing, emissions will increasingly dictate the extent to which the ocean can absorb carbon in the future. The study, published in Science Advances, emphasizes a crucial point: reducing emissions is vital not only for mitigating warming but also for restoring essential natural systems that contribute to climate stability.
