Melting Antarctic ice could cause drastic climate impact through slowing ocean current.

The Southern Ocean overturning circulation, a major global deep ocean current, has slowed down by approximately 30% since the 1990s as a result of melting Antarctic ice, which could have critical consequences for Earth’s climate patterns and sea levels, new research suggests. The slowdown could increase sea levels, alter weather patterns, and deprive marine ecosystems of vital nutrients. The overturning circulation plays a key role in influencing the Earth’s climate, including rainfall and warming patterns, and determines how much heat and carbon dioxide the oceans store.