OCEAN CHAP 16

Cards (11)

why might climatic warming occur?
because of an increased buildup of CO2 in the atmosphere.
What permits sunlight to pass through air and heat the earths surface?
CO2
what are earth's systems?
atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere
consequences of warming:
Sea level rise
ice melting
Reduction in thermohaline currents
impact on the coast due to sea level rise
Rapid changes
coast cannot adapt fast enough
Lands are submerged including delta areas like coast of Louisiana due to sediment load
Higher storm surges
Seawater contamination of fresh water groundwater aquifers
Destruction of Salt Marshes (important for natural coast protection, nurseries)
possible ways to alleviate the effects?
accomodation, protection, relocation
impact due to temperature rise
Predator/prey relations
Ecological niches
Resource allocations
Species distribution
Timing of reproduction/rate of development
Impact due to Salinity Change from ice melting
Possible slowing or stopping of the thermohaline currents
Major change in the redistribution of flow patterns, oxygen, and nutrients
impact due to melting of life
affects mammals, (polar bears, plankton productivity)
Impact due to Seawater Chemistry changes
Becomes more acidity; affects organisms that secrete CaCO3 shells, coral reefs
What we can do
Adopt sustainable lifestyles
Form forward-looking political affiliations
Think up novel solutions to environmental problems
Strive to mitigate human impact on marine ecosystems