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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Steven Morris

Sliver of cool surface water 2mm deep helps oceans absorb CO2, say scientists

Ocean
The 2mm sliver of water is slightly colder because of the ‘cool skin effect’, caused by heat leaving the water as it is in direct contact with the atmosphere. Photograph: Rob Crandall/Alamy

A sliver of cool surface water less than 2mm deep helps oceans absorb carbon dioxide, a British-led team of scientists has established after months of voyages across the Atlantic painstakingly measuring gas and temperature levels.

The subtle difference in temperature between the “ocean skin” and the layer of water beneath it creates an interface that leads to more CO2 being taken in, the scientists observed.

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