Sea near Bermuda Triangle becomes almost unrecognizable after concerning changes

Scientists have discovered some concerning changes as the sea near the Bermuda Triangle has become almost unrecognizable.

The Bermuda Triangle is an intriguing part of the world, with many claims and conspiracy theories about it being discussed in the last few years.

It led to one diver on the Triangle, who searched thousands of shipwrecks, hitting back at 'paranormal' claims.

Now, scientists have discovered that the Atlantic Ocean surrounding the archipelago is quickly warming while also losing oxygen.

On top of that, experts have noticed that the water has become increasingly salty and acidic.

Since 1983, scientists have been keeping track of the water surrounding Bermuda, taking monthly samples ever since.

Jeff Newton

This helps them assess the physics, biology, and chemistry of the ocean's surface and depths.

While there has been a pretty steady trend over the years, the later findings as part of the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) have produced some alarming results.

In fact, experts have found that the water surrounding the islands today is close to unrecognizable, as compared to the range seen in the 1980s.

Prof Nicholas Bates, an ocean researcher at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and author, said: "We show that the surface ocean in the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean has warmed by around 1°C [33.8°F] over the past 40 years.

"Furthermore, the salinity of the ocean has increased, and it has lost oxygen. In addition, ocean acidity has increased from the 1980s to the 2020s."

These conditions are causing grave concern amongst many of the experts because of the likely damage it is causing to the biodiversity of the area.

Jeff Newton

The data shows that the waters have gotten massively warmer, but also more saline at the surface has caused some additional issues.

This means that more salt is dissolved in the water, something that has disproportionately increased during the last few years.

Bates added: "We suspect this is part of the broader, more recent trends and changes in ocean temperatures and environmental changes, like atmospheric warming and having had the warmest years globally."

The final study did, however, highlight that many of the world’s oceans are facing drastic change due to climate change.

Bates explained: "These observations give a sense of the rate of change in the recent past of ocean warming and ocean chemistry.

"They provide key indications of future changes in the next decades. They also are proof of regional and global environmental change and the existential challenges we face as individuals and societies in the near future."