UPDATE: A groundbreaking study reveals that the Southern Ocean is releasing a staggering 40% more carbon dioxide during the dark Antarctic winter than previously estimated. This urgent finding, published on November 5, 2025, by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is set to reshape our understanding of global climate dynamics.
Using innovative laser satellite technology, researchers have for the first time effectively “seen” through the polar darkness, uncovering significant winter emissions that were long thought to be underestimated. The implications of these findings cannot be overstated, as they highlight a critical gap in the global carbon budget that could impact climate models worldwide.
The Southern Ocean plays a vital role in regulating Earth’s carbon cycle, absorbing a substantial portion of carbon released by human activities. However, it has been described as the “largest source of uncertainty” in global CO2 flux calculations due to a lack of winter observations. Extreme weather and darkness during winter months make direct measurement nearly impossible, leaving scientists dependent on incomplete models.
To tackle this challenge, the research team, led by experts from the Second Institute of Oceanography and the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, utilized advanced LIDAR technology. This laser-based satellite instrument is capable of emitting its own light signals, allowing for data collection even in low visibility conditions. By combining 14 years of LIDAR data with machine learning analysis, the scientists created a continuous record of winter CO2 exchange in the Southern Ocean.
Prof. Kun Shi from the Nanjing Institute stated,
“Our findings suggest that the Southern Ocean’s role in the global carbon cycle is more complex and dynamic than previously known.”
This new research introduces a “three-loop framework” to explain how CO2 exchange varies across different regions of the Southern Ocean.
In the Antarctic Loop (south of 60°S), physical factors like sea ice and salinity drive CO2 exchange. The Polar Front Loop (between 45°S and 60°S) sees interactions between atmospheric CO2 and biological activity, while the Subpolar Loop (north of 45°S) is dominated by sea surface temperature influences.
These new insights are critical for refining global carbon budgets, which underpin climate projections used by organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The study emphasizes the importance of using active satellite sensing combined with machine learning to uncover information about some of the planet’s most remote areas, paving the way for enhanced understanding of the Earth’s climate system year-round.
As climate change continues to escalate, these revelations about the Southern Ocean’s carbon emissions serve as a crucial reminder of the complexities involved in the global carbon cycle. The scientific community is urged to take immediate action based on these findings to ensure more accurate climate models and future projections.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops, and consider the far-reaching impact of the Southern Ocean’s carbon dynamics on our planet’s future.
