WATER CYCLE AMPLIFICATION SLOWER THAN PREVIOUSLY BELIEVED

A study conducted by the University of Southampton to evaluate the saltiness of the oceans of the world over the past 60 years, was published in the Scientific Reports. It has found that the wet areas of the world are getting wetter and the dry areas are getting drier- a process referred to as the amplification of water cycle.  This process is occurring at a rate slower than previously believed.

In an ocean area which experiences more rain and outflow from river, the sea water gets diluted and hence becomes less salty. On the other hand, in those areas where there is more evaporation, fresh water gets taken away leaving the water behind saltier.

They found that those relatively wet areas are getting wetter by 2%; and the dry areas are getting drier by 2% over the past 60 years. Previous studies indicated that this amplification process is occurring at 7% per 1 degree Celsius. But according to the current study, this rate is only 3 to 4%.

They believe that this is because of the weakening of the atmospheric circulation that transports freshwater from the dry to wet areas of the earth. 

Content Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161212084456.htm

Image:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koI_3eLfidQ