An irreversible shift in the chemical make-up of the Arctic Ocean is being driven by climate change. Rapid sea ice disappearance is triggering a hidden chemical shift that’s stripping the ocean of nitrate, a nutrient essential for the tiny plankton supporting Arctic life. As levels plunge, the entire food web could feel the impact, including fish, seabirds, whales, and polar ecosystems while also weakening the Arctic Ocean’s ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere.
www.ed.ac.uk/news/arctic-food-chain-hit-as-tipping-point-passed