Recently, scientists have found the Southern Ocean mitigates global surface warming by taking up a large portion of the carbon released by human activities.
About Southern Ocean:
The Southern Ocean is also known as the Antarctic Ocean, is the fourth-largest ocean by surface area.
The International Hydrographic Organization describes the Southern Ocean as the World Ocean’s southernmost portion.
It is located on the lower end of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean and includes the tributary seas around the Antarctic region.
It is known for its strong winds, intense storms, dramatic seasonal changes and cold temperatures.
It is dominated by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) which is the longest, strongest, deepest-reaching current on earth.
Formation: It was formed when Antarctica and South America drifted apart, creating the Drake Passage.
Biodiversity: Powerful currents, cold temperatures and nutrient and oxygen-rich waters make the Southern Ocean one of the most productive marine ecosystems on Earth.
Role of Southern Ocean:
It plays an important role in the circulation of water around the globe.
It also plays a key role in regulating the earth’s climate through its currents, seasonal sea ice and by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
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