Potential AMOC Collapse Could Turn Southern Ocean into Carbon Source and Add 0.2°C to Global Warming

Recent research has revealed that a potential collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could significantly impact global climate systems, including transforming the Southern Ocean from a carbon sink into a carbon source. This shift may contribute an additional 0.2°C to global warming, according to simulations conducted as part of the study. The AMOC, a major ocean current system, plays a critical role in regulating Earth’s climate by transporting warm water northward and colder water southward across the Atlantic Ocean.

The study highlights how disruptions to this intricate “conveyor belt” of ocean currents could alter heat distribution and disrupt the carbon cycle. Researchers found that if the AMOC were to collapse, it would weaken the Southern Ocean’s ability to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, potentially reversing its role in mitigating climate change. This scenario underscores the interconnectedness of oceanic systems and their influence on global temperatures. The findings provide new insights into how changes in one part of Earth’s climate system can cascade through others, with far-reaching implications for future climate conditions.

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Date: April 8, 2026

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GOAI