Sea Surface Temperature (SST)

• SST denotes Sea Surface Temperature.
• It measures the temperature of water at the ocean's surface.
• SST is typically recorded in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
• It substantially shapes global weather and climate conditions.
• SST fluctuates considerably based on geographical location, water depth, and time of year.
• Various elements influence SST, including solar radiation, wind, ocean flow, and air-sea interactions.

Factors affecting SST

• Solar radiation serves as the main heat source for the ocean surface.
• Solar radiation intensity on the ocean varies with latitude, season, and cloud cover.
• Wind stirs the ocean surface, impacting SST.
• Strong winds can cause upwelling, drawing cold water from the deep ocean to the surface, which lowers SST.
• Ocean flows redistribute heat around the world.
• Warm flows like the Gulf Stream move heat from the tropics to higher latitudes, raising SST in those areas.
• Cold flows like the California Current move cold water from higher to lower latitudes, thereby reducing SST.
• Air-sea interactions influence SST.
• Evaporation cools the ocean's surface and decreases SST.
• Precipitation warms the ocean and increases SST.

Measurement of SST

• SST is measurable through various techniques.
• Conventional methods involve thermometers and buoys.
• Current methods use satellites and sensor-equipped ships.
• Satellites give a comprehensive global perspective on SST.
• They use infrared and microwave radiometers to gauge ocean surface temperature via emitted radiation.
• Ship-based measurements offer greater precision than satellite data.
• However, ship measurements are confined to shipping routes.
• Buoys offer continuous SST measurements at specific spots and are often used to calibrate satellite measurements.

Importance of SST

• SST serves as a crucial indicator of climate change.
• It is used to monitor shifts in the Earth's climate system.
• SST impacts global weather patterns with warm SST leading to increased evaporation, causing heavier rainfall and flooding.
• Cold SST results in decreased evaporation, potentially causing drought.
• SST influences marine ecosystems, as many marine species are highly sensitive to SST changes.
• Changes in SST can alter the distribution and abundance of marine species and is applied in weather forecasting, climate modeling, and fisheries management.
• Precise SST data is crucial for making informed decisions on these issues.

SST and Climate Change

• Increasing in global temperatures are raising SST.
• This trend has several consequences, including more frequent and intense heatwaves, altered precipitation patterns, sea level rise, ocean acidification, and changes in marine ecosystems.
• SST increase varies across the globe, with the Arctic Ocean warming particularly rapidly.
• The rapid warming of the Arctic Ocean is attributed to Arctic amplification.
• SST changes can intensify extreme weather events.
• Elevated SST levels can intensify hurricanes and typhoons, increasing their destructive potential.
• SST changes also influence the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a climate pattern that affects weather worldwide.

El Niño and La Niña

• El Niño is defined by unusually warm SST in the central and eastern tropical Pacific, while La Niña is characterized by unusually cold SST in the same region.
• Both El Niño and La Niña significantly affect global weather patterns, causing wetter conditions in some regions and drier conditions in others; La Niña often produces the opposite effects.
• While El Niño and La Niña are natural occurrences, climate change is impacting their intensity and frequency.

Monitoring SST

• Monitoring SST is key to understanding and predicting climate change.
• Organizations worldwide like NOAA, NASA, and ESA monitor SST using satellites, ships, and buoys.
• The data gathered is used to create SST maps and models that track and predict future changes.

SST and Marine Life

• SST is vital for marine ecosystem distribution and health, where many marine species depend on specific temperatures.
• Changes in SST can force species to migrate to suitable habitats.
• Coral reefs, especially vulnerable, can suffer coral bleaching from high SST, potentially leading to coral death and the decline of coral reef ecosystems.
• Changes in SST can also affect fish stock distribution, impacting fisheries and related livelihoods.

Future Projections of SST

• SST is projected to continue to rise due to future greenhouse gas emissions
• A continued rise in emissions could cause an SST increase of several degrees Celsius by the end of the century, significantly affecting weather, climate, and marine ecosystems.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential for mitigating the impacts of climate change on SST.
• Adapting to the impacts of rising SST is also necessary, requiring strategies to protect coral reefs, sustainably manage fisheries, and prepare for more frequent and intense extreme weather events.

Sea Surface Temperature refers to the temperature of the water at the sea surface, measured in Celsius or Fahrenheit. SST influences global weather patterns and climate. Factors like solar radiation, wind, ocean currents, and air-sea interactions affect SST.