Super Pathway Discovered In Southern Ocean

WaltonNews writes in to let us know that a major underwater current called the Tasman Outflow has been discovered by Australian scientists. It helps to regulate the Earth's climate by providing water flow between three oceans in the southern hemisphere. Relatedly, a senior climate scientist has called for the establishment of a Southern Hemisphere network of deep ocean moorings, to complement the network already established in the North Atlantic. The intent is to detect any change in ocean circulation that may adversely influence global climate.

Energy source

[QuickFox]

We should tap these ocean currents for energy. We should have machines somewhat similar to wind turbines, anchored to the sea floor, floating in the middle of the flow.

These flows are far more steady and reliable than the wind. And no pollution. A great source of energy.

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Re:Energy source

[evil agent]

They're trying to do this in the East River in New York. Unsuccessfully so far...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/13/nyregion/13power .html [nytimes.com]

Re:But we *know* man causes global warming, right?

[CorSci81]

We knew deep ocean currents existed, the article really just points out that we have firmer evidence of there being a common flow between all of the southern oceans. The existence of the deep Atlantic currents we knew about was pretty good evidence this one likely existed, we just hadn't found it.

As far as climate goes, the deep return currents (much like this one) are very slow. Much slower than say the Gulf Stream in the north Atlantic. The time scale for these large flows to change is in the hundreds to thousands of years, and have very little bearing on current global warming. The article summary (and you) is really just stirring up needless controversy because if you mention anything to do with climate someone has to bring up global warming. For all practical purposes you could treat the deep currents as constant sources/sinks at the few places they interact with the surface and your climate model would work just as well. From what I recall most of them do just that for short-term (a few decades) timescales.

Re:I call bullshit!

[OrangeTide]

I'd rather not burn coal and release mercury and radioactive particles into the environment, and use CFLs (and dispose of them properly) so we can use hydro, solar, wind, geothermal and nuclear power more effectively.

I want to have my cake and eat it too.