climatic changes to the ocean

8/6/2019 Climatic Changes to the Ocean

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Climatic

Changes inthe Ocean

and what

will happen.

Melissa Wartman & KaralynBrennan


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Climate Change

Climate change is a longClimate change is a long--term shift in climateterm shift in climate

measured by changes in temperature,measured by changes in temperature,

precipitation, winds, and other indicators.precipitation, winds, and other indicators.

Climate change can involve both changes inClimate change can involve both changes in

average conditions and changes in variability,average conditions and changes in variability,including, for example, changes in extremeincluding, for example, changes in extreme

conditions.conditions.


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Climate Change and the

Ocean!There are several ways climate change will affect theThere are several ways climate change will affect theOceans including:Oceans including:

Ocean AcidificationOcean Acidification

AA WWarmerarmer OOceancean

Melting PolesMelting Poles

Rising Sea LevelRising Sea Level

Changes to the Oceans major currentsChanges to the Oceans major currents


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Ocean Acidification

The ocean, is one of the largest natural reservoirs ofThe ocean, is one of the largest natural reservoirs ofcarbon.carbon.

The increased anthropogenic atmospheric carbon dioxide,The increased anthropogenic atmospheric carbon dioxide,from human fossil fuel burning, is being absorbed by ourfrom human fossil fuel burning, is being absorbed by ouroceans. Already the ocean has absorbed about oneoceans. Already the ocean has absorbed about one--thirdthirdof the COof the CO

22humans have released.humans have released.

As CO2 dissolves in seawater, the pH of the waterAs CO2 dissolves in seawater, the pH of the waterdecreases, which is called "acidification"decreases, which is called "acidification"..

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, ocean pHSince the beginning of the industrial revolution, ocean pHhas dropped globally by approximately 0.1 pH units.has dropped globally by approximately 0.1 pH units.


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Ocean Acidification Contd

When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, whichWhen CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, whichreleases hydrogen ions into solutionreleases hydrogen ions into solution..

Acidity is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in the water,Acidity is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in the water,where an increase in hydrogen leads to an increase inwhere an increase in hydrogen leads to an increase in acidity.acidity.

TheseThese hydrogen ions then combine with carbonate ions in the waterhydrogen ions then combine with carbonate ions in the waterto form bicarbonate.to form bicarbonate.

CarbonateCarbonate ions are the basic building blocks for the shells of manyions are the basic building blocks for the shells of manymarine organisms. Thus the formation of bicarbonate through thismarine organisms. Thus the formation of bicarbonate through thischemical reaction removes carbonate ions from the water, makingchemical reaction removes carbonate ions from the water, makingthem less available for use by organisms.them less available for use by organisms.

TheThe combination of increased acidity and decreased carbonatecombination of increased acidity and decreased carbonateconcentration has implications for many functions of marineconcentration has implications for many functions of marineorganisms, many of which we do not yet fully understand.organisms, many of which we do not yet fully understand.


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Rising Sea Level

With warmer temperatures, comes melting polar iceWith warmer temperatures, comes melting polar icesheets which release water back into our oceans,sheets which release water back into our oceans,increasing the global ocean water level.increasing the global ocean water level.

The melting of sea ice does not increase sea level,The melting of sea ice does not increase sea level,because floating ice displaces an amount of seawater thatbecause floating ice displaces an amount of seawater thatis precisely equal to its mass.is precisely equal to its mass.

Large continental ice sheets are found on Greenland andLarge continental ice sheets are found on Greenland andAntarctica. The Greenland ice sheet contains enoughAntarctica. The Greenland ice sheet contains enoughwater to raise the sea level by approximately 7 meters. Thewater to raise the sea level by approximately 7 meters. TheAntarctica ice sheet contains much more waterAntarctica ice sheet contains much more water-- some 60some 60to 70 m of equivalent sea level rise.to 70 m of equivalent sea level rise.


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Rising Sea Level Contd


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Melting Ice caps and

sheets


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A Warmer Ocean


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Changes to Ocean Circulation


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References

http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=Fhttp://www.climatechange.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=F2DB1FBE2DB1FBE--11

http://www.conservation.org/Documents/Climate%20Chanhttp://www.conservation.org/Documents/Climate%20Change%20on%20the%ge%20on%20the%20Ocean.pdf20Ocean.pdf

http://ioc3.unesco.org/oanet/http://ioc3.unesco.org/oanet/FAQacidity.htmlFAQacidity.html

Journal Article: Ocean Acidification: The Other COJournal Article: Ocean Acidification: The Other CO22Problem by Scott C.Problem by Scott C. DoneyDoney, & et, & et al.al.

The Earth System by Lee R.The Earth System by Lee R. KumpKump, & et al., & et al.