A new study is focusing on determining the consequences produced by the recent shift in the ocean currents. The Atlantic Ocean undergoes a change in its ecosystem that has not been seen for more than 10,000 years, as demonstrated by the fossil discoveries.
The research is showing that the shift might lead to political consequences since the fish is currently moving towards colder waters. The climate has started reaching a reasonable point at the end of the last Ice Age when it is said that the humanity began to evolve.
In addition to this, the major currents in the ocean have stabilized themselves as well during the same period. The importance of the currents lies in the fact that their natural cycles determine the location of marine organisms.
Climate change affects the oceans
Unfortunately, climate change in the ocean is beginning to make more and more effects. For example, the coral reefs are affected by massive bleaches, since the ocean’s acidity levels are increasing because of the carbon dioxide emissions. Since the oceans absorb the pollution, species such as mackerel and herring are forced to move towards the poles.
Taking Iceland’s case, researchers have observed the disappearance of cold-water species that moved their habitat and the replacement of those with warm-water pieces. This demonstrates that the water in the area was changed comp0letely due to climate risks.
This movement is not only harming the species but also the humanity since the evolution of the fish has caused political concerns from the countries voicing their rights to exploit them.
Up until now, the researchers have been unable to determine the inner workings of this phenomenon, but they are warning that data collected is showing the ocean’s sensitivity towards climate change that is unprecedentedly high. Things can get even worse should the North Atlantic’s waters get saltier with the help of ice melt and increasing rainfall.
