Deep-ocean turbulence could accelerate climate change within a lifetime
A Nature Communications study finds that tiny deep-ocean turbulence rapidly distributes heat, nutrients and carbon, influencing sea level rise and fisheries on decadal scales—far faster than current climate models capture. By tracing chlorofluorocarbons, researchers show deep waters move heat and carbon around on timescales relevant to human life, underscoring gaps in climate projections and the need for improved understanding and monitoring of small-scale ocean mixing to inform policy.
