Scientists warn of trawler damage to coastal waters

Crucial role of Britain's shelf seas in absorbing carbon dioxide is under threat, says reportThe shallow seas around Britain absorb tens of million of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year, scientists have discovered. This plays a critical role in stabilising the country's ecology and in lessening the impact of carbon emissions.But researchers warn that shelf seas are increasingly vulnerable to climate change and the impact is likely to worsen. In particular, rising temperatures and increased numbers of intense storms threaten to disrupt the coastal regions' ability to absorb carbon dioxide. This could accelerate climate change, they state in Shelf Seas: The Engine of Productivity, published this week. Continue reading...