New Study Suggests Oceans Absorb More CO2 Than Previously Thought

Long-time Slashdot reader schwit1 shared this story from SciTechDaily: New research confirms that subtle temperature differences at the ocean surface, known as the "ocean skin," increase carbon dioxide absorption. This discovery, based on precise measurements, suggests global oceans absorb 7% more CO2 than previously thought, aiding climate understanding and carbon assessments...

Until now, global estimates of air-sea CO2 fluxes typically ignore the importance of temperature differences in the near-surface layer... Dr Gavin Tilstone, from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), said: "This discovery highlights the intricacy of the ocean's water column structure and how it can influence CO2 draw-down from the atmosphere. Understanding these subtle mechanisms is crucial as we continue to refine our climate models and predictions. It underscores the ocean's vital role in regulating the planet's carbon cycle and climate."