Global Warming Effects on Oceans

Posted on June 26, 2007 in Global Warming Effects

Global warming raises the temperature of the oceans and seas and has disastrous consequences on them.Let us discuss the effects of global warming on oceans.

Rise in sea level
Global warming leads to an expansion of the water bodies.As a result more water enters the oceans due to melting of polar ice caps. Scientists have noted a rise of between fifteen to ninety-five centimeters for a one to four degree rise in temperature. Sea levels have been rising since the Ice age, but have been constant till the nineteenth century.Recent satellite data , however indicates that sea-levels have risen by about 2 mm per year over the past hundred years. This rise implies an inundation of low lying islands like the Sundarbans .

Rise in temperature of the oceans
This greatly affects the marine ecosystem and the lives of the marine fauna and flora. Many fish lay eggs only at a specific temperature and a slight variation can confuse them. Changing temperature affects algae growth and this is worrying since several species feed on algae.

Glaciers begin to melt,leading to marshland , affecting the habitat of several species of animals like polar bears and caribou. Due to melting glaciers vast tracts of the tundra now resemble brushland, not capable of supporting wildlife.

Secondly warmer waters imply a reducing ability to absorb carbon dioxide, adding to the global warming.Warm waters also imply stronger hurricanes along the coast of South America.Previously hurricanes were confined to the North Atlantic and did not occur beyond November with the onset of winter.

Increased acidification of the oceans.
Oceans absorb a huge amount of carbon dioxide in the form of dissolved gas or in the bones of tiny marine creatures that settle at the bottom in the form of calcium deposits. However increased industrial activity means more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that the oceans cannot fully absorb.Moreover excessive carbon dioxide in the ocean waters have increased its acidity greatly. This is bad for coral reefs that will die due to bleaching and detrimental to animals with calcium carbonate shells. It can hamper the growth of several species of fish and plankton on which the fish depend for food.

Effect on thermohaline circulation
Global warming may affect the circulatory patterns of the ocean waters, leading to a cooling of coastal areas of Britain and Scandinavia.It may result in cooling in the North Atlantic due to a weakening of the North Atlantic Drift.

Impact on life in coastal areas
A rise in the ocean levels means many coastal areas will face extinction. Countries will spend more to protect coastal cities or migrate inwards. This will greatly affect the livelihood of the people residing in these areas and hamper global trade and commerce.

The economic costs of saving landmass from the fury of the water bodies will be immense and poses a challenge to mankind. Hence it is time to take effective steps to curb global warming.

Comments

One Response to “Global Warming Effects on Oceans”

  1. Theresa Francis Says:
    February 12th, 2009 at 9:48 am

    I want write up on Gobal Warming on coastal cities.

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