Climate change fears spiral as warmer seas ‘absorbing less CO2

Scientists have found evidence of a sudden and dramatic drop in the amount of carbon dioxide being absorbed by the sea, sparking fears that climate change is accelerating.

Warmer waters – themselves said to be the result of the changing climate – are believed to have caused the decline.

Samples taken from the Sea of Japan last year were compared with analysis of water collected in the past.

The findings suggest that it is absorbing only half as much carbon dioxide as during the 1990s.

Scientists believe that a slight change in the temperature of the water appears to have reduced a process known as “ventilation” which helps reabsorb about a quarter of the carbon dioxide produced around the world.

Telegraph