Arctic Ocean's Carbon Emissions Escalate with Warming Waters

Warming waters in the Arctic Ocean, particularly in the Beaufort Sea region, are causing the ocean to release more carbon dioxide than it absorbs, according to a study by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The culprit is the runoff from Canada's Mackenzie River, which carries carbon and sediment into the ocean, resulting in outgassing. The warmer temperatures in recent years have led to increased thawing and runoff, triggering a net release of carbon dioxide equivalent to the annual emissions of 28,000 gasoline-powered cars. This study highlights the significant impact of small changes in the ocean on the global carbon cycle.