Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is Slowing Down as per recent studies | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is Slowing Down as per recent studies

Posted 05 Mar 2025

2 min read

Scientists have warned that ACC might slow down by around 20 per cent by 2050 in the high carbon emissions scenario.

What is ACC?

  • ACC is the strongest and the largest wind-driven current on Earth and moves clockwise around Antarctica, driven by strong westerly winds.
  • It is the only current that goes all the way around the planet and connects the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
  • Significance: 
    • It’s a type of cold current that acts as a barrier and prevents warmer waters from reaching Antarctica.
    • Significantly influences uptake of heat and carbon dioxide in the ocean.
    • Blocks invasive species (e.g., bull kelp, shrimp, mollusks) from other continents reaching Antarctica.

Reasons for weakening of ACC

  • Changes in Ocean Salinity: Due to accelerated melting of ice shelves (from global warming) around Antarctica has resulted in weakening of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW).
    • AABW is a sinking process and a critical component of global ocean circulation tied to circulation of ACC.
  • Changes in Wind Patterns: Climate change can alter pattern of westerly winds in Southern Hemisphere.
  • Positive Feedback Loop: Reduced sea ice can exacerbate warming & freshwater input, creating a feedback loop that further weakens ACC.

Potential  Impact of weakening of ACC

  • High climate variability with increasing instances of greater extremes in certain regions.
  • Accelerated global warming due to a reduction in the ocean's capacity to act as a carbon sink.
  • Impact on the food web due to arrival of invasive species onto the fragile Antarctic continent.
  • Impact on global ocean current system due to weakening of the AABW.
  • Tags :
  • Ocean Currents
  • Antarctic Circumpolar Current
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