The Extent to Which Global Warming May Impact the Oceans Biological Systems - Research Paper Example

Critically evaluate the extent to which global warming may impact the ocean’s biological systems Introduction Controlling gas emissions and pollution worldwide has been a critical challenge for governments worldwide. Up to now a series of plans has been developed for securing the limitation of the negative effects of human-related activities on the environment. The results of the relevant efforts seem to be disappointing. In many cases, this failure has been related to the lack of funds for the support of the relevant programs. However, such claim could not be accepted especially since schemes have been developed at international level for securing the funding of these plans by all countries, according to their economic performance. At this point the following question appears: how climate changes tend to be continuously increased, at international level, even if the measures taken by most governments are extended? Current paper explores a specific aspect of climate change: global warming. Reference is made, in particular, to the impact of global warming on ocean’s biological systems. Primarily, the potentials of global warming to affect the biological systems of oceans are explored. It should be noted that the literature developed in regard to this subject may not always refer directly to global warming but rather to climate change and its effects on ocean’s biological systems. This is because global warming is considered as closely related to climate change, even as an aspect of climate change, so emphasis is often given to climate change in general and not specifically to global warming. It is implied that the assumptions made after the relevant research are also related to global warming. It is proved that, indeed, global warming is able to impact these systems. Then, the exact consequences of global warming on ocean’s biological system are checked and analyzed. It is revealed that the role of global warming on the alteration of ocean’s biochemistry, as related to ocean’s biological systems, is higher than expected. Moreover, no signs seem to exist for the limitation of the phenomenon. Instead, the research developed in this field indicates the continuous decrease of ocean’s marine organisms and the continuous deterioration of ocean’s overall biological systems. In regard to the above the following question would be answered: is there any effective method for the protection of ocean’s biological systems from global warming? The answer would be positive but only under the terms that the relevant programs would be supported in all their phases not only at governmental level but also at the level of the community. 2. Global warming and ocean’s biological systems 2.1 Global warming – overview The first signs of global warming have appeared in the 21st century, being combined with the radical increase of CO2 emissions worldwide (American Institute of Physics 2013). Initially, the phenomenon did not cause worries to the scientists since its positive aspects were only considered. However, through the years a different aspect of global warming was made clear: global warming could have severe effects on life of humans and animals especially since the rise of seawater levels in various areas of the planet could be significant (American Institute of Physics 2013). The first concerns in regard to global warming are included in a report of ‘the U.S. Presidents Science Advisory Committee in 1965’ (American Institute of Physics 2013). In the above report it was explained that by 2000 the effects of global warming on climate could be severe, while the exact extension of these effects would be difficult to be estimated in advance (American Institute of Physics 2013). In a report of National Geographic, published in 2007, emphasis is given to the continuous increase of global warming as a trend threatening the global environment. More specifically, in the above report reference is made to the increase at a level of 0.8 degree Celsius since 1880 but also to the significant increase of summer temperatures, as a phenomenon that made clear during ‘the last two decades of the 20th century’ (National Geographic News 2007). It is also noted that ice in the arctic oceans is threatened; by 2040 it is quite possible that no ice will exist in arctic oceans (National Geographic News 2007). Of particular importance is the rate of mortality of coral reefs. Indeed, it has been proved that in certain regions ‘the level of coral bleaching reaches a percentage of 70%’ (National Geographic News 2007). Bleaching events, as related to coral reefs, are analyzed in next section of this study. The expansion of global warming can be also verified through the graph presented in Figure 1. According to this graph the increase of CO2 emissions from 1960 to 2010 has been radical; it is implied that global warming during the same period has been also enhanced. The severe damages on coral reefs and other biological systems of oceans, as revealed through the report of National Geographic News and the other studies included in this paper, are also indicative of the expansion of global warming worldwide. Figure 1 – Increase of CO2 emissions between 1960 and 2010 (source: Gleick 2012, in Forbes) 2.2 Impact of global warming on ocean’s biological systems 2.2.1 Oceans as ecological systems Oceans, as part of the global ecological system, are of critical importance, especially if taking into consideration the fact that the major part of earth’s surface is covered by water (Talley et al. 2011). For this reason, the study of ocean’s characteristics and needs has been delegated to an individual science: oceanography (Talley et al. 2011). Among the issues explored by the above science is the temperature level of oceans; indeed, for oceanography a balance must exist in regard to the temperature of land and water areas around the world (Talley et al. 2011). If this balance is destroyed, then the effects on these areas can be severe. In regard to this issue reference should be made to the following fact: retaining the temperature at same levels among oceans is almost impossible. In practice, it has been proved that temperature differences exist between ‘the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans’ (Talley et al. 2011). This phenomenon has been explained as follows: the Pacific Ocean has not a mechanism for ‘overturning water from north to south and vice versa, as the Atlantic Ocean does’ (Talley et al. 2011, p.140). The above fact leads to the following assumption: the effects of global warming on oceans are not equal, depending on the temperatures of each ocean and the strength/ diversity of local species. In addition, when referring to oceans, as complex systems, reference should be made not just in their geographical borders but also to the synthesis of their waters, their chemistry, their temperature and their habitats (Williams and Follows 2011). For Bing (2003) oceans are quite valuable for global climate, being able to act as ‘repositories of high amount of energy and of CO2’ (Bing 2003, p.9). The stabilization of temperature levels in oceans is achieved through ‘the radical movement of waters’ (Open University 1999, p.27). The above function is highly supported by the water of polar areas which is at quite low temperatures and its mix with the warmer water of southern areas of the oceans causes the circulation of oceans’ waters, leading to a balance at the level of temperature (Open University 1999). An important characteristic of oceans, as factors influencing global climate, is the following: oceans tend to absorb a high percentage of CO2 emissions released worldwide. In fact, it has been proved that oceans tend to absorb about ‘1/3 of such emissions’ (Libes 1992, p.709). In other words, oceans have a critical role in the stabilization of global climate helping to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. However, CO2 emissions tend to be continuously increased, as also indicated in Figure 1, while the quantity of CO2 that oceans can absorb cannot be increased. Then, the increase of average atmosphere globally, a phenomenon known as global warming, is inevitable (Libes 1992). For oceans global warming seems to have specific effects, such as increase of the level of the sea, expansion of diseases and limitation in the variety and quantity of marine species (Libes 1992). In any case, the effects of global warming on oceans seem to be developed rather slow, at least up to now, a fact that gives the time required for the introduction of measures for controlling greenhouse gases and CO2 emissions globally (Broecker 2010). 2.2.2 Ocean’s biological systems and global warming According to the figures presented in section 2.1 of this study, global warming seems to be one of the most important aspects of climate change worldwide. Because of its expansion, global warming can affect highly affect the biological systems of oceans. In a study developed by the University of Hawaii the effects of climate change on oceans have been set under examination (Science Daily 2013). Emphasis has been given to the impact of climate changes on oceans’ biochemical characteristics but also on all marine organisms. The study focuses on the expected effects of climate change, especially of global warming, by 2100. It has been proved that by the above date the temperature of oceans’ surface will be increased; the increase will be ‘of 1.2 to 2.6° C’ (Science Daily 2013). Other important effects related to climate change are also likely to appear in oceans, such as ‘decrease of oxygen concentration and limitation of phytoplankton’ (Science Daily 2013). As a result, the populations of marine organisms worldwide will be decreased especially since the biochemistry of critical parts of oceans, such as of ‘coral reefs and shallow soft-bottom benthic habitats will be highly changed’ (Science Daily 2013). According to the study the specific effects could be limited only if intensive efforts would be made for reducing gas emissions and for controlling seawater pollution (Science Daily 2013). It is noted though that the success of such plans would be quite difficult; actually, the initiatives undertaken so far for the limitation of gas emissions and seawater pollution have been led to a failure, as also indicated in the figures presented in section 2.1 of current study. Mora et al. (2013) have tried to check the effects of global warming, as related to gas emissions and the increase of CO2 released worldwide, on ocean’s systems and habitats. They have focused on 32 areas which tend to attract a high volume and variety of marine habitats; they’ve tried to estimate the expected effects of global warming on these habitats up to the end of the century, i.e. by 2100. They found that by 2100 the increase of temperature globally will cause significant increase of ocean’s surface temperature; as a result, a series of effects will be caused on ocean’s biological systems: a) biomass in various parts of oceans will be decreased, b) the metabolism and the rate of reproduction of marine habitats will be negatively affected, c) oxygen concentration in oceans will be also decreased. Due to the above a significant limitation in the number of marine habitats by 2100 is expected to appear; the alteration of these habitats’ biological characteristics, such as size, weight and so on is another effect of climate change, as related to global warming, that is highly likely to appear by 2100 (Mora et al. 2013). Figure 2 – Climate change, as related to temperature, oxygen and so on, and effects on ocean’s biological systems (source: Mora et al. 2013). Moreover, the study of Mora et al. (2013) has revealed that the changes in temperature, meaning the temperature of oceans as affected by temperature of air, can cause different effects on ocean’s biological systems. These effects are analyzed in the table in Figure 1 below. It is clear that in oceans the changes in temperature can result to various consequences for local biological systems, included ‘the increase of mortality and the decrease of richness of marine habitats’ (Mora et al. 2013, Figure 1) but also the functions of ocean’s systems, such as the increase of species that can destroy other species, such as jellyfishes (Mora et al. 2013, Figure 2). From a similar approach, Kirby (2013) refers to the research developed by the ‘International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’ (Kirby 2013). According to the above research, the effects of global warming on oceans can be higher and more rapid, in regard to their development, than estimated by scientists internationally (Kirby 2013). Moreover, it has been proved that oceans tend to be highly influenced by global warming, more than the land ecosystems (Kirby 2013). In the specific report emphasis is given to the direct relationship between global warming and ‘greenhouse gases, especially the carbon dioxide’ (Kirby 2013). In practical terms, the effects of global warming on ocean’s biological systems are described by referring to the period up to 2050; up to the above time point the impact of global warming on ocean’s biological systems is expected to have the following forms: a) a major part of the Arctic Ocean will become inappropriate for hosting ‘shelled animals’ (Kirby 2013); the above phenomenon will be resulted from the radical increase of ocean’s acidification; b) plankton will be decreased and alternated, as of its ingredients; as a result nutrition problems will appear for marine habitats of all kinds (Kirby 2013); the problem can be so high by 2050 that many of these habitats will be even diminished; c) due to the changes in the biochemistry of oceans the erosion of coral reefs will be quite rapid; many species are likely to disappear (Kirby 2013). Another important implication of global warming, especially in regard to oceans, seems to be the following: due to the increase of ocean temperatures many species have moved away from their usual place; in fact, an increase of marine species moving towards the poles has been reported the last decade (PhysOrg 2013). The change in the ‘geographic distribution of species’ (PhysOrg 2013) is a critical phenomenon since it can lead to the alteration of marine populations globally, as this trend will lead certain species to be diminished (PhysOrg 2013). When referring to ocean’s biological systems particular reference should be made to coral reefs. The specific parts of oceans are considered as ‘underwater forests’ (National Wildlife Federation 2012) based on their natural characteristics and the range and volume of their habitats. These parts of oceans seem to be highly threatened by global warming. In fact, as revealed through relevant studies the marine species living in coral reefs are highly fragile; therefore, the radical changes in seawater temperature and the biochemistry of the oceans could lead to the extinction of these species which cannot move far and live in different parts of the ocean (National Wildlife Federation 2012). The research developed in regard to the effects of global warming on coral reefs and their habitats led to the following conclusions: a) when having to face an increase of temperature coral reefs tend ‘to expel the algae living within them’ (National Wildlife Federation 2012); the above activity is also known as ‘bleaching event’ (National Wildlife Federation 2012); if temperature levels return to their normal levels the coral reef that developed this activity tries to recover, an effort that results, most commonly, to a failure. At the next level, the marine species depended on the particular coral reef are distinguished (National Wildlife Federation 2012); b) because of the increase in the temperature of oceans diseases can appear across coral reefs; the most common diseases of such kind are ‘the black band disease, the white band disease and the white plague’ (National Wildlife Federation 2012). These diseases can severely harm the coral reefs leading even to the coral’s extinction; the radical increase of ‘coral’s mortality’ (National Wildlife Federation 2012) because of diseases related to increased ocean’s temperature has become a major challenge for scientists worldwide. 3. Conclusions The research developed for this study has led to a series of critical findings: a) global warming continuous to be expanded despite the efforts made for its limitation; still the rate of its expansion is not standardized. In fact, it seems that there are periods during which the expansion of this climate – related problem is slower; b) empirical studies have been proved that global warming can highly affect the biochemistry of oceans; c) it has been also revealed that the effects of global warming on oceans have specific form: c1) limitation of oxygen concentration, c2) decrease of productivity, c3) acidification and c4) decrease of the amount and decrease of the quality of phytoplankton. Because of the above, the marine organisms of all types tend to be decreased globally. In addition, it has been proved that the expansion of global warming is quite difficult to be prevented especially since the pollution of air and of seawater, as related to climate change and global warming, continuous at high rate. In this context, it could be stated that the damage of ocean’s biological systems cannot be controlled. In regard to the above the following assumption could be made: the impact of global warming on ocean’s biological systems is not instant; nor it is developed in the short term. Actually, it can take decades for the effects of climate change, and global warming, on ocean’s biological systems to be revealed. For this reason, most studies related to this field have set an increased period of time, even by the end of this century, as a period of reference in regard to the expected results. This means that time exists for the change, if not of the elimination, of the conditions that lead to the modification and the damage of ocean’s biological systems. The success of the relevant efforts though is difficult to be secured especially since the plans introduced so far for facing the problem have faced delays and barriers. It seems that the effective management of the particular phenomenon is related not just to the development of carefully planned programs but rather to the creation of mechanisms that will monitor the progress of these programs in regard to all their parts. References Bigg, G.R. (2003). The Oceans and Climate. Cambridge University Press Broecker, W.S. (2010). The Great Ocean Conveyer: Discovering the Trigger for Abrupt Climate Change. Princeton University Press Gleick, P. (2012) 2011 Climate Change in Pictures and Data: Just the Facts. Jan 21, 2012. Forbes. Available at http://www.forbes.com/sites/petergleick/2012/01/21/2011-climate-change-in-pictures-and-data-just-the-facts/ Kirby, A. (2013) Climate Change Impact on Oceans Even Worse Than IPCC Report Claims. Oct 8, 2013. Adventure Journal. 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