Research is exploring the relationship between the southern ocean, earth's obliquity, and changes in atmospheric CO2 levels during glacial and interglacial periods. Studies are examining various factors, including changes in ocean currents and circulation, to better understand the causes of ice ages. The role of the southern ocean in storing and releasing carbon dioxide is a key area of investigation, with some findings suggesting that changes in ocean circulation and ventilation may have played a significant role in glacial-interglacial CO2 change.