A recent study published in Nature examines the impact of global warming on monsoon patterns and marine life in the Bay of Bengal. Researchers investigated fossilized plankton shells to understand historical climate conditions, revealing that extremes in monsoon intensity have historically disrupted marine ecosystems and productivity.
The study indicates that predicted stronger and more variable monsoons could lead to similar future disruptions. The Bay of Bengal may be small in water coverage but is vital, contributing nearly 8% of global fish production, including crucial hilsa fisheries for the region’s dense population.
Researchers found that both heavy and light rainfall disrupt marine ecosystems, as nutrient mixing is hampered by freshwater runoff from rivers. This layering effect prevents vital nutrients from reaching the surface ocean, which supports plankton, the foundation of oceanic food webs.
The research, a collaboration involving teams from the US, India, and Europe, emphasizes the urgent need to understand these changes due to their significant implications for marine life and food security in densely populated areas. Similar findings were reported in a concurrent study analyzing Andaman Sea sediments.
