World’s oceans losing their greenness through global heating, study finds

Portavogie beach in Northern Ireland offers an example of varied ocean hues. Photograph: Wirestock/Getty Images

The world’s oceans are losing their greenness owing to global heating, according to a study that suggests our planet’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide could be weakening.

The change in the palette of the seas is caused by a decline of phytoplankton, the tiny marine creatures that are responsible for nearly half of the biosphere’s productivity.