‘Unprecedented’ marine heatwave hits waters around Devon, Cornwall and Ireland | Marine life

The sea off the coast of the United Kingdom and Ireland It suffers from an unprecedented thermal wave with 4C temperatures higher than average in the spring in some areas.

Marine biologists say about the severity and disadvantages of high water temperatures in water temperatures off the coast of Devon, Cornwall The western coast of Ireland is very anxious. With the continued collapse of the human climate in increasing global temperatures, the frequency of marine thermal waves is increasing.

“This is unprecedented because it happens early in the year,” said Dr. Manuella Tropiano, of the Faculty of Biological and Naval Sciences at the University of Pleimouth. “To see this high temperature around the UK waters at this time of year is very realistic. Every time it happens to use the word” unprecedented “, and I am very concerned about increasing the spread of these marine thermal wave events.”

Classes in the sea off the southern coast DevonCornwall and Ireland rose between 2c and 4C higher than average temperatures at this time of the year.

Dr. Dan Smil, of the Maritime Biological Association, said that the usual spring temperatures will be 11c-12C, but the water is now at absolute temperatures of 15c-16C.

The UK is increasingly exposed by marine heat waves, with sea temperatures reaching in June 2023 to their highest levels since the start of records. At that time warming It was classified as “no one heard”.

Trupiano said that the high sea temperatures early in spring were more important. The heatwave marine wave began in March and lasted for about two months. If the sea temperatures continue to rise until the summer months, there are concerns about the mass death of fish and other marine life.

Marine biologists say that the effects of the marine thermal wave in the spring can be deep, including changes in the reproductive patterns of plankton, which in turn can lead to a decrease in the numbers of fish later in the year.

“It is worrying that these warming events occur more and more in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The water of the United Kingdom was not traditionally affected, but these events began to happen frequently and the associated temperatures increase,” Smile said.

“If this continues during the summer, we will expect to see widespread biological effects. This is a major warming event.”

The office said Met It lasted for more than two monthsFrom early March and continuing to May. “It is important because of its intensity and reward,” she said.

She said that the increase in the temperature was the result of several overlapping factors, including high -pressure systems, which brought a dry, sunny spring, wind and weak waves, creating perfect conditions for warming.

The sea began to warm from mid -February – one month before the usual – and rose at the temperature of the warmer foundation as the water surrounding the United Kingdom was warmer than the usual exit from the winter.

Data shows marine heat waves increasing in the frequency. A I found a 2019 study The number of thermal wave days increased by more than 50 % in 30 years to 2016, compared to the period from 1925-1954. The scientists said at the time that the heat destroyed the areas of marine life “like forest fires, huge areas of forests come out.”

Dr. Jonathan Tinker, the marine climate scientist at the Mitt office, said: It can rise by up to 2.5 ° C by 2050It is possible that such events will become more frequent, intense and long. Marine heat waves provide a glimpse of how to change ocean conditions in the future. “