Global warming is accelerating the world’s strongest ocean current

Circumpolar current Antarctic (ACC) appeared about 30 million years ago. Today it is the link between the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans. It is also quite simply the most powerful ocean current on our planet. It thus transports around Antarctica, more than 165 million cubic meters of water per second. No less than a hundred times the debit of all rivers of the world. And an international team of researchers is telling us today that ACC is accelerating. A discovery based on satellite measurements and data collected by the global Argo ocean float network.

In question, you guessed it: the anthropogenic global warming. More precisely, the warming of the waters. The researchers assure that, despite the fact that this current is considered to be mainly driven by the wind, the acceleration of the prevailing westerly winds under the effect of the increase in the temperature of theair would, here, rather tend to energize the oceanic eddies which go against the main currents.

And it could accelerate global warming

This Antarctic circumpolar current is like a demarcation between the warm subtropical waters and the cooler waters of theAntarctic. However, the hottest part of the Southern Ocean absorbs a large part of the heat generated by human activities. Hence the importance of better understanding its dynamics. For the essential role that ACC plays in regulating our climate.

As the acceleration of the ACC appears to be closely related to the gradient temperature in the region, researchers now expect its speed increases more and more as the Southern Ocean continues to absorb heat. Enough to promote the rise to the surface of deep water laden with CO₂. And ultimately decrease, the ocean’s ability to regulate warming.