Fears for Baltic’s marine life as global warming decreases the salt in the sea
Changes in North Atlantic could also undermine the entire food chain, says Europe-wide study
By Paul Bignell
Climate change will turn the Baltic Sea into an increasingly freshwater sea and devastate its marine life, according to scientists.
A multinational study has found that an increase in precipitation in the region would lead the water in the Baltic to become less salty. Such a decrease in salinity would change the make-up of sea life, which is already suffering from over-fishing and harmful chemicals.
Professor Chris Reid, of the Marine Institute, University of Plymouth, who was involved in the study, said: “Due to global warming, it is predicted there will be an increase in precipitation in the river basins that flow into the Baltic Sea. As a result – because it’s an enclosed sea with a very narrow exit – the sea will become fresher. We predict this will happen over the next 100 years.” (Independent)
