The Norwegian Sea is warmer and more acidic
New measurements show that the Norwegian Sea is becoming warmer and more acidic. Researchers have used a long data series from a 75-year-old measuring station, and have obtained important information about the environment.
Scientists use equipment to measure ocean acidification and temperature. Photo: Tor de Lange, University of Bergen
The Norwegian Sea is warmer and more acidic
New measurements show that the Norwegian Sea is becoming warmer and more acidic. Researchers have used a long data series from a 75-year-old measuring station, and have obtained important information about the environment.
November 30, 2023
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Measurements in 2022 showed that temperatures at a depth of 2,000 meters had increased by more than 0.2 degrees Celsius since the 1980s.
– This is unusual for deep waters in the Norwegian Sea, wrote Norwegian Environment Agency.
The M (Mike) measuring station deep in the Norwegian Sea has been measuring ocean temperatures for 75 years. Map: Norwegian Environment Agency
Most man-made CO2 emissions are absorbed by the ocean. This has reduced global warming, but its absorption makes the oceans more acidic.
This is proven by measurement results which show that the largest changes occur at the surface. There, the pH value has decreased by 0.06 since 2001.
– This means the water becomes 15% more acidic. But water depth is also influenced by our activities on land, writes the Norwegian Environment Agency.
You can read more about the ocean acidification program, what is monitored and how at the Norwegian Environment Agency theme page.
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