A UVic initiative has been observing ocean temperatures at several sites off Vancouver Island’s west coast and recently observed the startling data that two sites have reached an all-time high.
Through the university, Ocean Network Canada (ONC) operates and observes thousands of sensors placed on the seafloor to monitor real-time ocean data. ONC have been making these observations since 2009 and now they’ve recorded their highest numbers yet.
The observations are made through their North-East Pacific Time-series Undersea Networked Experiments (NEPTUNE) observatory.
Kohen Bauer, Senior Scientist with OCN says their Folger Deep site near Bamfield and the Barkley Upper Slope site, which is about 100 kilometres off the coast of Cape Flattery, were recorded at over 0.1°C higher than the last record-high. That change may not seem like much, but it is a staggering increase and could be detrimental to marine ecosystems.
As of August 10th, the Folger Deep site was recorded at 8.57°C when the previous highest temperature was recorded to be 8.44°C. At the Barkley Upper Slope site the new high was a recorded 6.01°C while before the record was 5.90°C.
“We live in a time of Earth system extremes, with record global air and ocean temperatures emerging as a major concern,” said Bauer.
“Temperature plays a key role in many interconnected processes in the ocean, and although the mechanistic drivers of the warm summer temperatures we are seeing on the NEPTUNE observatory may not persist, it is worth investigating in more detail.”
“Such observations highlight the importance of ocean monitoring networks in helping us understand these rapidly changing environments,” he added.
The ONC says warmer summer waters are likely caused by ongoing and worsening climate change impacts as well as changing wind patterns and upwelling of deeper waters.
