Antarctic ice melt can change global ocean circulation, sediment cores suggest
Phys.org
February 14, 2026
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A groundbreaking study reveals that meltwater from the Antarctic ice sheet played a pivotal role in shaping global ocean circulation during past deglaciations, offering fresh insights into the intricate relationship between polar ice and climate regulation. By analyzing sediment cores from the Southern Ocean, researchers discovered that the influx of freshwater from melting Antarctic ice intensified stratification—a layering of distinct water masses—in the region. This stratification, combined with variations in temperature and salinity, played a significant role in driving large-scale ocean currents, including the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). These findings underscore the critical role of the Antarctic ice sheet in influencing global climate dynamics.
The study, led by François Fripiat from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and Université Libre de Bruxelles, along with colleagues from Princeton University and the Alfred Wegener Institute, highlights how meltwater from the Antarctic not only affects local ocean conditions but also has far-reaching implications for global climate systems. By examining sediment cores collected from key regions of the Southern Ocean, the researchers were able to reconstruct past oceanographic changes during the last two deglaciations—periods when Earth transitioned from ice ages to warmer interglacial periods. Their analysis revealed that the meltwater introduced a fresh layer near the ocean surface, which reduced mixing with deeper, saltier waters, thereby enhancing stratification.
This enhanced stratification likely contributed to shifts in global ocean circulation patterns, which are known to play a significant role in regulating Earth's climate. For instance, the ACC, driven by strong winds around Antarctica, helps redistribute heat from the equator toward the poles, while the AMOC influences weather patterns across the North Atlantic region. The study’s findings suggest that changes in Antarctic ice melt could have profound effects on these systems, potentially altering global climate dynamics in ways that are not yet fully understood.
Understanding the impact of Antarctic meltwater on ocean circulation is particularly relevant in today’s context of accelerating ice melt due to rising temperatures. While previous studies have focused primarily on the North Atlantic region for explaining changes in ocean circulation during deglaciations, this research shifts the spotlight to the Southern Ocean and the role of Antarctica
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Originally published on Phys.org on 2/14/2026