Global Change and Other Anthropogenic Impacts on the Ocean

The Earth system is, and has always been, subject to profound global changes throughout its history. In the past, natural cycles, such as solar variations, changes in Earth's orbit or plate tectonics, were the main causes of these alterations. Today, in the Anthropocene, there is overwhelming evidence of a new factor that has become the main driver of changes at a planetary scale: the growing demand for resources and the increasing generation of waste by the human population.

The anthropogenic activity required to satisfy the demands of our current society has planet-wide impacts on the Earth system, resulting in Global Change, which also affects the ocean. In addition, the acceleration of Climate Change and increasing marine pollution ultimately increase risks for Earth's ecosystems and human societies.

Understanding the impact of Global Change and human activity on local marine areas, as well as the risks they pose to local natural resources and ecosystem services, is key not only for risk assessment, but can also contribute to better understanding and monitoring of changes at a planetary scale.

At IIM-CSIC, we investigate different aspects of these impact-risk interactions, in both local and global contexts. The study of Global Warming, sea-level rise, changes in ocean currents and weather patterns, Ocean Acidification, ocean deoxygenation, changes in biogeochemical cycles, and variations in the presence of rare earth elements or heavy and trace metals allows us to develop a holistic view of the system and provide appropriate tools and answers for present and future changes.

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