A recent report from IntelliNews sparked concerns over the reversal of an ocean current, but experts say it’s largely false. The report claimed that for the first time, a key component of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) had reversed direction, posing catastrophic consequences.
However, a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) by the University of Southampton found that surface salinity levels in the Southern Ocean have been increasing since the 1980s. This trend coincided with an expansion of Antarctic sea ice, but did not indicate a reversal of ocean currents.
“It’s not about the direction of the current,” said lead author Alessandro Silvano. “It’s about the potential for a self-sustaining feedback loop where reduced sea ice cover perpetuates further loss.”
The report from IntelliNews appears to be based on an erroneous press release that included a flawed quote from one of the study’s co-authors. The original study did not mention reversing ocean currents, but rather found evidence of changes in surface salinity and sea ice coverage.
Experts say while the study’s findings are concerning, they do not support the alarmist claims made by IntelliNews. Climate experts have long warned about the impacts of global warming on ocean circulation, but this particular report highlights the importance of verifying information through reputable sources.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-ocean-current-reversal-what-know-2096224