Melting ice sheets are slowing the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), the world's strongest ocean current, researchers have found. This melting has implications for global climate indicators, including sea level rise,

Melting Antarctic ice is weakening the world’s strongest ocean current, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, according to research published in the journal Environmental Research Letters on Monday.

A new study shows melting Antarctic ice changes the density of ocean layers around Antarctica, driving a slowdown of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

Melting Antarctic ice sheets are weakening the ACC, a vital ocean current that regulates global climate and ocean circulation. Scientists project a 20% slowdown by 2050, which could intensify climate extremes,

The world's strongest ocean current could slow as melting Antarctic ice sheets flood it with fresh water, according to research published on

An ocean current 100 times stronger than the Amazon River is expected to slow as ice sheets melt, with knock-on impacts for sea level rise and ecosystems.

This is the first research in which experts incorporated the factor of 'subglacial plumbing' to analyse retreating Antarctica's glaciers.