– The scale of the effects of the sea heat waves that we have observed in the last two years was crazy: massive whitening of corals, species appearing in new locations, extreme weather phenomena – said Dr. Kathryn E. Smith from the British Association of Maritime Biologists. Is one of the authors new Research that analyzes the effects of unusual heating of the seas and oceans in 2023 and 2024.
The last two years were The worst in the history of measurements – which was the trend of climate warming, as well as the natural, cyclical phenomenon of El Nino (periodic warming of tropical pacific water). Because of our emissions gases Greenhouse on earth is more energy coming from the sun.
We think about global warming primarily in the category of average atmosphere temperature. However, oceans not only cover most of the globe, but can also “fit” much more energy. In 2023, they consumed 287 heat energy zettadjules. This is a number difficult to imagine – but prof. John Abraham from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota found a shocking comparison for her. It is as if eight atomic bombs exploded in the oceans, which were dropped on Hiroshima – and so every second.
Extinction in the oceans
This gigantic energy means constant heating of oceans. This, along with other effects of our activity, has fatal effects on ecosystems, which is described in the publication in the pages “Nature Climate Change”.
Climate change led to a sharp growth (up to 3.5 times) the numbers of sea heat waves. Similarly to the heat waves on land, it is about longer periods of extremely high temperature. The study showed that in 2023-24 almost 10 percent The ocean was record hot.
Sea organisms are usually sensitive to temperature changes. In many of them this may force migration to new places, but there the ecosystem will not always meet the conditions needed for survival (e.g. they may not find the right source of food).
Other species – like corals – are not able to move into cooler parts of the ocean. And many other species are dependent on the life of coral reefs. – I have been visiting the coral reefs in Florida Keys for over 30 years and I have never experienced so hot water As in July 2023, Dr. Lauren T. Toth from the Sea and Coast Science Center in Florida said. As she reported:
– The impact of this unprecedented heat stress on the coral reefs was absolutely tearing the heart: in a few weeks the reefs were deprived of color, and in the next few months the bias of coral bleaching killed a large number of them throughout the region. For the reef system, which was already on the edge of the breakdown, the whitening of the coral in 2023 was like a blow to the stomach.
Scientists try to save the corals, putting on “schools” and moving them into cooler, deeper waters. In Australia, a part of the population threatened with fishing (Thymichthys Politus) was moved to the aquariums and released when the waters cooled down before the forecast sea wave of heat. However, the effectiveness of such activities is limited. If we fail to stop climate warming well below 2 degrees Celsius (the current level is about 1.3 degrees), then the chances of saving coral reefs will be negligible.
– The more often sea ecosystems are haunted by sea heat waves, the harder it is to rebuild them. As the sea waves of heat will get worse, we will probably witness further loss of sea species and ecosystems around the world – warned Dr. Kathryn Smith from the Association of Maritime Biologists.
Threat to people
Sea heat waves and their effects have a direct impact on people. Many seaside communities are the oceans in their daily maintenance – by fishing or tourism. Meanwhile, the sea wave of heat led to the displacement of the Sardel population off the coast of Peru – which was why the fisheries were closed and the losses were estimated at 1.4 billion dollars. Similar problems affected the inhabitants of Great Britain and Spain, when the sea waves of heat hit fish and mussels populations.
Along with oceans warming, the risk of hurricanes increases – hot water is “fuel” for tropical storms. In 2023, their number in the Atlantic was record -breaking. Warmer waters are also greater evaporation, which can mean more intense rain. Extremely warm waters of the Mediterranean They contributed For example, to the strength of the cyclone Daniel, which in September 2023 caused floods in North Africa and Europe. In Libya, 6,000 people were killed after the dam disaster. In the same year, the sea wave of heat intensified the Gabrielle cyclone in New Zealand, who killed 11 people and caused damage to over $ 8 billion.
– To prevent the deterioration of sea waves of heat and their effects, we must limit and stop using fossil fuels. In the meantime, preparations for heat waves and interventions aimed at limiting the loss of species have brought some successes, but these are not permanent solutions – said Dr. Kathryn Smith.