According to a recent study by researchers from the National Oceanography Center in the UK and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the color of the ocean has undergone significant changes over the past two decades, with more than 56% of the world's oceans displaying color shifts that cannot be attributed to natural variations, CNN reports.
The study, published in the journal Nature, highlights the greening of tropical oceans near the equator, indicating ecosystem changes. The color of the ocean is influenced by the presence of phytoplankton, chlorophyll-containing plant-like microbes that form the foundation of the marine food web. While the exact changes in these ecosystems remain unclear, the researchers note that various regions will likely experience alterations in phytoplankton types and abundance.
These modifications disrupt the delicate balance of ocean ecosystems and impact the ocean's ability to store carbon. The study emphasizes that human-induced climate change is the driving force behind these observed color changes. By analyzing satellite data and employing climate change models, researchers determined that the alterations closely aligned with predictions associated with increased greenhouse gas emissions. The study serves as a stark reminder of the profound impact of human-induced climate change on the Earth system.
Although it is currently challenging to detect these color changes with the naked eye, further research is needed to investigate the specific causes and variations in different ocean regions.
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