Marine animals in the Northern Baltic Sea are at risk due to above-average temperatures in the region. Researchers recorded the longest heatwaves in the Baltic Sea.
Climate change and El Nino can play a significant role in high temperatures in ocean waters. Extreme heat and abnormal temperatures can harm marine animals and ecosystems.
As a result, monitoring and protecting species from challenging heat is essential to mitigate the impact on their existence in oceans, especially the coral reef systems.
The Baltic Sea is home to many aquatic species and biodiversity and is known for its greenish water and low water salinity.
In addition, the sea helps provide jobs to over 85 million people.
In the Baltic Sea or Kattegat in the North Sea, there are species of grey seal, ringed seal, sea trout, herring gull and little tern. However, the high temperatures can likely impact the population and migration of other species.
Longest heatwaves in the Northern Baltic Sea
A stock photo of Baltic Sea. Researchers raised concerns about the Northern Baltic Sea's longest heatwaves and above-normal temperatures. High temperatures can have a devastating impact on marine animals.
Experts and researchers from the Umeå Marine Sciences Center in Umeå University raised concerns about the rising temperatures in the Northern Baltic Sea.
Researchers have been observing the temperature measurements in the Baltic Sea. They discovered that hotter surface temperatures are increasing frequently.
Experts monitored the temperatures in the region, and it showed the longest heatwave conditions since the mid July.
The Baltic Sea is a vital place for marine animals, and the soaring temperatures can devastate ecosystems and aquatic animals.
Alarmingly, marine species are sensitive to temperature changes and could find it challenging to survive in high temperatures.
According to director Nicholas Kamenos from the Umeå Marine Sciences Center, the high temperatures can be serious for the species in the area.
Furthermore, the prolonged heatwaves could likely lead to bacterial infections that can harm other aquatic animals or organisms.
Oceans have been essential for the storage of harmful carbon monoxide. Kamenos noted that high temperatures in the area could affect the ability of the seas to store carbon monoxide.
Also Read: Massive Ocean Cleanup: 25,000 Pounds of Junk, Plastics Removed from Great Pacific Garbage Patch
More facts about the Baltic Sea
Protecting Baltic Sea species has been critical to its marine ecosystem and biodiversity. Soaring temperatures can harm coral reef system health, which could also affect other aquatic species.
The Baltic Sea is also known as the youngest sea on Earth. It is a place to about 100 species of fish.
The said sea is believed to have emerged 10,000 or 15,000 years ago.
Around the Baltic Sea, there are Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Poland and other countries from Northern Europe
Beside the the high temperatures, the Baltic Sea is threatened by the following:
- Pollution
- Habitat loss
- Eutrophication
- Arrival of invasive species.
Efforts to address pollution are essential to save species from population decline or the brink of extinction.
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