What happens if polar ice caps melt? It follows logically that sea levels will rise and coastlines will change. Other properties of ocean waters will change also. Like salinity-more fresh water will dilute the salt in the ocean which might disrupt the homeostasis of the organisms that live there. However, a decrease in salinity might mean an increase in the freezing point of sea water, which could be beneficial in slowing the rise of sea-levels.
What other questions do I have about this Scientific Inquiry Experience? What if the changing cycles of the sun are to blame for the warming effects here on Earth? Are polar ice caps on Mars shrinking as well? If so, is it right to enforce costly emissions reduction measures on populations that will likely experience extreme hardship in order to try to prevent the inevitable?
Great Post. I agree with you about sea levels rising, however, I had not considered a change in salinity. You brought up some really good points. I hadn't thought about considering the changing Sun cycles as a possible cause of ice melting either. But even if it where a cause, our ozone layer is supposed to protect us right? If we don't do something to stop the depletion of the ozone layer could we be setting ourselves up for disaster?
ReplyDeleteLots of areas of science to consider, environmental, physical, Earth.
After reading your post, there is some evidence that there is an increase in Antartic sea ice, but is that because of a difference in salinity because the land ice is melting? It would be interesting to research if this is a possiblity? Thanks for the information.
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