Ocean waves play an important role in trapping greenhouse gases

For decades, scientists have studied the effects of oceans in the world in absorbing greenhouse gases. However, a groundbreaking new study by researchers from the United Kingdom has revealed that ocean waves are the most important factor in this trap .

The article on research published in the Scientific Report, shows that when the phenomenon of waves breaking on the surface of the sea occurs, such as due to the effects of high winds, a significant amount of bubbles ( bubbles) compressed to a depth of at least one meter. These bubbles tend to release a portion of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) dissolved into seawater. This means that global CO ₂ as well as global ocean acidification rates are estimated to increase.

These bubbles tend to release a portion of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) dissolved into seawater.

Led by University of Southampton scientists, the study was published in collaboration with UK scientists, including Dr. David Woolf at Heriot-Watt University's Orkney Campus. As an expert in the air-sea gas exchange process of the project, he said: 'For decades, the role of sea foam in the process of gas flow. The air - the sea has always been a topic of interest for scientists, but the data collected by researchers is incomplete. '

The research results are entitled 'The process of asymmetric CO ₂ transport when a wave breaking phenomenon occurs on the surface of the water' , showing that the phenomenon of CO2 imbalance of exhaust gas is at a higher level. much more than before, this contrasts with the assumption of ocean gas - ocean flow predicted by scientists at the present time.

The new study contributes to helping the scientific community become more aware of the influence of the ocean in contributing to global climate control as well as helping to slow global warming.

Professor Tim Leighton, from the University of Southampton, said: " The situation will become stable when the amount of CO2 from the atmosphere dissolved into the sea is equivalent to the amount of gas released from the sea into the atmosphere."

However, the data of the study show that in stormy seas, the asymmetry between the CO2 emissions in the atmosphere caused by dissolved bubbles into ocean water and the previous amount of dissolved CO ₂ is solved. re-launch into the atmosphere, many times larger than scientists predicted.

Excess CO ₂ is the gas that dissolves into seawater in stormy seas through rising bubbles when the rate of atmospheric CO ₂ increases.

Scientists say they have passed all their methods, devices, computer codes and findings to other research groups across the UK to learn more about the role of foam in trapping. CO2 in oceans in the world.