Evidence from the North and South Atlantic oceans show that the waters absorb considerably less carbon dioxide emissions than they did a decade ago. Scientists worry that the oceans have saturated and absorbed as much carbon dioxide as they can, meaning the atmosphere's CO2 levels will lose one of its major buffers.

The study by the University of East Anglia shows that between the mid-1990's and the period between 2002 to 2005, the North Atlantic only absorbed half as much carbon dioxide. A similar effect has been seen in the South Atlantic although the change is not as alarmingly fast or of the same magnitude.

The oceans act as a natural carbon sink for CO2 emissions. The ocean as a carbon sink acts to absorb a quarter of all carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. If the oceans continue to slow down or become too saturated to absorb any more carbon dioxide, the atmosphere's CO2 levels may rise more rapidly.

It is not sure whether the change was due to climate change or other variants but it remains that if they continue at this pace, the end result is that the gas will be left to speed up global warming in the atmosphere. Climate change has already affected the ice up in the Arctic.