Climatic modulation of surface acidification rates through summertime wind forcing in the Southern Ocean

Summary

This observational study demonstrates that the Southern Annular Mode, a dominant climate variability pattern in the Southern Ocean, modulates surface ocean acidification rates through its influence on westerly wind strength and meridional transport processes. During positive SAM phases, enhanced winds drive increased Ekman transport that delivers acidified water masses from higher latitudes to the Antarctic Zone, substantially accelerating acidification beyond rates attributable to atmospheric CO₂ increase alone. The findings indicate that climate-driven changes in wind patterns represent an important driver of regional ocean acidification dynamics, with implications for understanding Southern Ocean resilience under future climate scenarios.

UK applicability

The findings are of limited direct applicability to UK agricultural or terrestrial systems, though they provide important context for understanding climate-driven changes in marine ecosystems and their potential cascading effects on global fisheries and aquaculture. UK marine policy and fisheries management may benefit from consideration of these mechanisms when assessing long-term resilience of Southern Ocean-dependent food systems.

Key measures

Surface ocean pH change rates; meridional Ekman transport; sea-air CO₂ flux; Southern Annular Mode index; spatial variation in acidification between 60°–55° S latitude

Outcomes reported

The study quantified how the Southern Annular Mode (a dominant climate pattern) modulates surface ocean acidification rates in the Southern Ocean through changes in westerly wind strength and meridional Ekman transport. Measurements included rates of pH change and the delivery of acidified waters to the Antarctic Zone under different climate modes.

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