Quiz 5 Flashcards
@ equator winds blow __
west
above and below equator winds blow
east
Ocean Gyres
Spirals of ocean circulating currents
Five major gyres
N. Pacific S. Pacific N. Atlantic S. Atlantic Indian
Where the Gulf stream originates
Gulf of Mexico
Density of water controlled by
temperature and salinity
Processes that affect water density
rainfall, ice melt, river outflow
Thermohaline ocean conveyor
Initiated in polar regions-density increases when sea ice is formed-water sinks, surface waters pulled in/deep ocean currents
Warm up when currents travel to equator-rise to surface/loop back
Circulation in Atlantic will
slow, NA becoming fresher/warmer water, melting of glaciers
Slowing of conveyor =
- increased rainfall in Arctic/Antartica
- colder temps in Europe
- collapse of plankton
- increase in floods, storms, El Nino
Sea levels rise because…
Water increases volume when heated = thermal expansion
Melting of land ice
extraction of ground water
Change in pH of ocean
pH is getting lower
Effects of decreased calcification
acidification of body fluids, alter acoustic properties of sound, young clownfish sense of smell weakened
Coral Reef stressors associated with climate change
El Nino events (warming role), Ozone depletion, Rise in sea level, changes in ocean circulation, precipitation-dilution with fresh water
Acidification of reefs
Lowered calcification = dissolution of coral skeletons
Clathrates
Methane deposits frozen into ice, pressure high enough and temps low enough to be kept stable
Fisheries linked to climate change
Too warm: Metabolism sped up, quick growth, more energy to reproduce
To cold: metabolism slows, fish become sluggish
Rising temps leading to changing fish distribution
Tropical warm water species - move north
Cold water sp. move north toward shifted range of salmon, cod, halibut, trout, bass, etc.
Food chain disruption
Sea lions and seals changed habitat due to increase in temps
Killer whales ate more otters = less otters ate urchins = more urchins = overgrazed kelp beds
1997-98 El Nino
Collapse of squid fishery. They moved to cooler, deeper waters. Sea lion pups died from lack of food.
Changes in plankton distribution
Warmer temps caused plankton to move north, affected range of larger fish: Mackerel, Cod
Disease and Toxins
Parasites in cooler climates are more likely to survive the winter = fish poisoning, stressed fish are more susceptible to disease
Toxins - toxicity of pollutants increased in warm water
Coastal regions
Areas where impacts of climate change on the ocean cause changes to coastal landforms, ecosystems, tourism
Wetlands factors dependent on
Rising surface to match sea level, boundary erosion, space to migrate, increasing salinity, flow of rivers affecting sedimentation
Estuaries
Increases in mid-latitude rainfall = more fresh water, increased salinity, less oxygen
Chesapeake Bay
Rise of sea level 2 ft. by the end of the century
What is the IPCC expected sea level rise by 2100?
1-2M
How are deep ocean currents being affected by melt of land ice?
They are slowing down
Why do warmer ocean waters result in a rise in sea levels?
Warm water expands
Sea level rise will have a greater effect on which US coast?
East
Why is current climate change expected to have a greater impact on plants and animals than, for example, the onset of an ice age
The climate is currently changing at a relatively rapid pace, whereas ice ages are a drastic change, but conditions remain stable enough for organisms to adapt
What group of animals is expected to be the least affected by climate change
Mammals
Which type of forest is likely to expand its range as the climate warms
Oaks/Hickory
