Global Warming of the Ocean - Essay Example

Introduction More than two thirds of the planet earth is covered by the large and shapeless ocean. The ocean plays a number of vital roles in the climate system of the earth as well as in sustaining the living creatures in the planet. In planetary hydrologic cycle, the ocean contains 97% of the fresh water; 86% of the evaporation is being supplied in the atmosphere and 78% is return to ocean as precipitation (Curry, 2004). There is an interaction between the atmosphere and the ocean in supplying of fresh water in the earth as well as in exchanging of heat. In heat exchange, 80% is absorbed by the ocean and the most is carbon dioxide (CO2) (Shanahan, 2005). These recognized services of the ocean are required in sustaining the life support system in the earth, thus, the earth should have a healthy oceanic and coastal environment. Ocean warming is a threat to the health of the world ocean that is why ocean management strategies are to be properly implemented. These management strategies of marine ecosystem are not properly applied which result to the decreasing capacity of the ocean to store C02 secretion. The ocean is now suffering the severe consequences brought about by unmonitored secretion of C02 by human activities and one of this is ocean acidification (Feely, et al., 2006, pp.1-4). This is the result in too much giving up of C02 in the earth’s atmosphere which paved the way in the warming of the ocean. This paper’s aim is to get a clear idea on scientist’s suspicion about the warming of the ocean and its real scenario. Its main objective is to be able to know what exactly is ocean warming as well as to identify and assess changes that had led to this situation. Illustration and evidences are presented to have a clear picture on how C02 greatly affects the increased heating of the ocean. The environmental and social impact of changes in the ocean/atmosphere interaction will also be tackled. This is also design to inform the society of their share, a recommendation on what to do upon knowing that the ocean is warming. Ocean Warming Global climate change is a very crucial issue especially with regard to the increasing of heat content of the world ocean and the raising of sea level. U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Dr. James Baker (2000) said, there “has been warming to a depth of nearly 10,000 feet in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans” (cited in Stevenson, n.d.). Ocean warming is considered to be a complex problem and is not a simple matter for scientists that are engrossed in knowing the heat content of the ocean. As the temperature increases, the ocean becomes less able to absorb the excess C02. National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) scientists concluded that sizeable changes had occurred in the world ocean heat temperature which had potentially absorbed ~2 × 1023 joules (heat measurement unit) and warmed 0.060C (Levitus, et al., 2000, pp.2225-2229). “The 2007 IPCC report predicts temperature rises of 1.1 - 6.4 °C (2 - 11.5 °F) by 2100; there is a big increase in their 2001 report, “however, the 2007 report goes on to say that their best estimate for temperature rise is 1.8 - 4 °C (3.2 - 7.1 °F)” (Masters, n.d.). All these results are in line with the global warming that should be called ocean warming issue that makes the role of the ocean very crucial. A number of ongoing effects are being very apparent which includes the rising of sea levels, rising of ocean surface temperature, changes in ocean circulation and many others (Jungwi, 2009). The following effects are now happening because of certain causes. Causes of Ocean Warming According to Shanahan (2005) there are three prospective triggers that cause the interaction of oceans and atmosphere, “by solar or volcanic activity, and changes caused by human activity – principally, emissions of greenhouse gases.” There is a clear indication that “antropogentically” (human activity) is causing the warming of the ocean. The data shown in Figure 1 had clearly illustrated the increasing of C02 in the Source: Earth’s CO2 Home Page Figure 1: Atmospheric CO2 for May 2010 (data released by NOAA-ESRL MLO) atmosphere. This C02 is one of the greenhouse gases that results from human activities which eventually lead to global warming and climate change. It is also considered to be the fourth main greenhouse gas in the atmosphere and makes up 50% other than methane and nitrous oxide (Ho, 2006). The relationship between the ocean and the atmosphere is not quite easy, wherein both pattern of circulation (atmospheric and oceanic) is interdependent on each other (Infoplease, n.d.). In the figure 2, it is being shown that the cold water is sinking as it travels throughout the ocean and then it slowly warms, becomes less dense and mixes to the surface. After it mixes in the atmosphere it goes back to the ocean carrying the heat in the atmosphere and the cycle continues. This also shows that between the ocean and the atmosphere, the ocean has the higher thermal capacity. The sunlight as one of the radiant sources of energy penetrates the ocean’s surface, as the depth increases the more it makes the ocean darker and colder. Too much greenhouse gases particularly the C02 absorbed along the cycle will result to ocean acidification (Feely, et. al., 2006 pp.1-4). Figure 2: Ocean Circulation (Source: Marian Koshland-Science Museum) Ocean acidification will likely transpire when C02 mixes with the seawater; a reaction will occur and will form a carbonic acid that will create chaos in marine life. Ocean acidification and the changing of the earth’s climate are the result of the rapid increase of greenhouse gases like C02 due to human activities. Theories, real-world observations and mathematical models have supported and confirmed these results (Doney, 2007). Without uncertainty, it is due to human activities that the release of C02 in the atmosphere has raised to 30% that contributes to the raising of the earth temperature, causing general disruption of the climate since the industrial period in 19th century (Ho, 2006). Although the absorption of almost 525 billion tons of C02 in the ocean from the atmosphere gives benefit to the humankind by significantly reducing the greenhouse gas level in the atmosphere, the negative impact directly hits the world’s ocean (Feely, et al., 2006, pp.1-4). The continuing increase of C02 in seawater would result in lowering the acidity of the water measured by pH. The lowering of water acidity is not good for corals, plants and animals underneath the ocean. These organisms would have a difficulty in building and producing their shells because there would be an insufficient supply of needed chemical building blocks called calcium carbonate. The acidity of the water surface is declining since the industrial revolution which amounted to 0.1 units. If the increase of C02 in the seawater would continue 100 years from now, the pH of the water would drop by as much as 0.4 units by 2100. The eruption of undersea volcanoes makes a big impact on the dropping of ocean temperature and rising of sea level. Climatologist Peter Gleckler (n.d.) said that “volcanoes have a big impact. The ocean warming the sea level would have risen much more if it weren’t for volcanoes” (cited in Reaney, 2006). When the ocean heat content gets higher, the sea level rises and recedes in cooler temperature. As explained by Gleckler, aerosols and dust released during volcanic eruption would eventually scattered in the sunlight. Blocking the sunlight caused a less penetration of the heat in the ocean surface and temporary cooled the water which eventually made the sea levels recede. This might be temporary because volcanic eruption underwater was unpredictable but once erupted, it remained for decades. Figure 3: Volcanic Eruptions (Source: Marian Koshland-Science Museum) Evidences of Ocean Warming A. Rising of sea levels After the causes of ocean warming have been presented, the next stop would be the ongoing effects brought about which comprises the rising of sea levels, rising of ocean surface temperature, ocean acidification, changes in ocean circulation and disruption of biological systems. Once the temperature of the ocean increases, the warmer seawater expands and contributes to raising the sea level. The rise of the sea level is the biggest danger and the worst catastrophic consequence that experts are warning. "Even with a small sea level rise, were going to destroy whole nations and their cultures that have existed for thousands of years” said Jonathan Overpeck (n.d.), director of the Institute for the Study of Planet Earth at the University of Arizona in Tucson (cited in Lovgren, 2004). In 2007 IPCC report, it forecast .6 - 1.9 feet (18 - 58 cm) rise of the sea level and will continue to increase about 3.9 to 7.8 inches (10 to 20 cm) if the melting of “polar ice sheets” continue (Masters, n.d.). As what is being observed in figure 4 from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), there is a rapid increase of sea level rate year over year. Figure 4: Increase of sea level (Source: NASA) The fact is due to human-emitted greenhouse gases, the earth temperature increases, the sea level is rising rapidly, and from 1850 to 2000, the snow cover in Northern Hemisphere is significantly decreasing. All these facts are shown in Figure 5, a 2007 fourth assessment report from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In new report, 90% of very likely chance is because of human activities that this climate change are happening (Masters, n.d.). In the past 150 years, changes in global temperature, global average sea level and Northern Hemisphere were very noticeable (Figure 5). Figure 5: Changes in Temperature, Sea Level and Northern Hemisphere Snow Cover (Source: 2007 IPCC 4th Assessment Report, cited in Masters, n.d.) B. Rising of ocean surface temperature Most of the heat added in the earth resides and stores in the ocean. The earth warms due to the secretions of greenhouse gases such as C02 most likely produced either by natural or human influences. Not all of the produced heat is absorbed by the atmosphere but 80% to 90% of this involves in warming up the ocean water (Harris, 2008). For decades, there is an increase of about 1 degree Fahrenheit on earth’s temperature (Stevens, 2000). The acceleration of ocean warming that amounted to 3.5 degrees a century is not clearly identified on how much is the attributed portion to greenhouse gases and to natural causes. Some scientists believe that stronger hurricanes are form with the contribution of the warming of the ocean surface (Than, 2006). In the process wherein the surface of the ocean is heated by the warm temperature, resulted to an increased evaporation that would store more and more water vapor in the atmosphere. This water vapor would serve as an additional fuel for storms as it passes through the open oceans. The rising of the worlds sea surface temperature is found to be the greater long-term contributor in forming hurricane intensity. Continues warming of ocean temperature over the past decades results a negative impact on the tiny ocean plant life called phytoplankton in which the productivity is declining. This phytoplankton is important for it is responsible in absorbing the million tons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis (Ho, 2006). In marine food web, phytoplankton is considered as the primary producer among other organism because of its countless number, it also manages in maintaining the C02 balance in the ocean. Phytoplankton needs enough supply of nutrients that would help in sustaining life and the water should not be too warm or too acidic for the phytoplankton to continue increase in number. If there are many pollutants in the ocean, phytoplankton will likely absorb the pollutants and fishes that feeds on them will accumulate the toxins. This toxic fishes will likely be eaten by human. The extra acidity of the water affects corals and other shell-forming organisms (Figure 6). Figure 5: Marine Food Web (Source: Ocean World, 2005) C. Ocean Acidification, ocean circulation and disruption of biological system The consequences of man’s use of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) in the term called global warming have not yet given enough attention. The millions of tons of C02 produced by human activities released into the atmosphere everyday had made the oceans more acidic (Feely, et al., 2006, pp.1-4). This capacity of the ocean to store greater percentage of C02 plays a vital role in controlling the abrupt change of the climate. Without this capacity, the atmosphere will likely contain a higher percentage of C02 which is the primary cause of more dramatic global warming. The marine ecosystem is at greater risk when the increasing acid rate in the ocean will continue in the remaining years. Several marine species as well as the ecosystem might fail to adapt in the present ocean chemistry such as the declining water acidity and the increase of hydrogen ions in the ocean. With this scenario in the marine environment, humans will likely bear the worst consequences. The geographic distribution of phytoplankton and biological productivity is determined largely by ocean circulation. Among the biological systems are the planetary hydrologic cycles and photosynthesis wherein fresh water that is needed by humankind is less distributed as well as the element needed in photosynthesis which is greatly needed in marine food web. The threat in ocean circulation will give a negative impact on ocean acidification that will definitely destroy the biological system. When combined, this could substantially change the figure, variety and health of ocean wildlife as well as to humankind. Environmental and Social Impact in Ocean/Atmosphere Interaction In evaluation of environmental and social impact, a range of different approaches, methods and techniques are required to be present. Direct impact is quite simple to be recognized but indirect and cumulative impact is more complex and difficult. The environmental impact in ocean/atmosphere interaction can be easily recognized when the results of interaction evidently produce negative impact on the environment. The changes of the interaction among the ocean and the atmosphere provide uncertainties and acidification trends which mostly caused by C02. Currently, to mitigate this issue, the US and some concerned countries all over the world are now in motion by providing assistance and resources to come up with inclusive local, national and international strategies in the management of the ocean (Doney, 2007). This is to mitigate the theatrical increase of greenhouse gases such as C02 in the atmosphere caused by the development of human activities. This environmental impact is not uncertain to be recognized due to the obvious result that the entire planet is suffering. In contrast, social impact is most likely uncertain because it is unpredictable to be recognized. There is a plain insufficiency of cause and effect relationship when working with human responses to change. The changes of the ocean/atmosphere interaction, although the negative effects are apparent are more complex in social impact because the attitudes and perceptions of human cannot be easily recognized. This climate change will have a serious implication for the public safety and public health that would increase in the social costs. It is essential that before commencing with the ocean management strategies, there should be a clear definition on the roles, responsibilities, rights and involvement of the society being agreed upon. Human may not be optimistic toward changes with the management of the ocean like in the issue of mitigating the emission of C02, but in the long run of changes they will be benefited and realize the positive impact of this strategies. Recommendation Carbon dioxide (C02) is an important gas in the earth being the food of the plants. The more plants, the more oxygen will be given off. But because of human activities (burning coal, oil, etc.) the emission of C02 in the atmosphere is not anymore normal to the environment that further resulted to ocean warming, ocean acidification, rising of sea level and many others. C02 should not be taken away because the entire earth will starve to death; instead mitigation is needed to reduce the greenhouse gases and the resulting negative impacts. To mitigate, human should eventually stop burning things with the use of this fossil fuels, because obviously it will increase the percentage of C02 in the earth and oxygen will eventually depleted. Instead, utilize the energy sources like geothermal plant, hydrogen sources, etc., that don’t consume oxygen. Human should be more concern about the environment and the society. Conclusion One thing that is most certain about climate change is adaptation. No matter what will happen human will have to adapt with the change either by protecting oneself or by taking advantage. After evidences have been presented, a conclusion have been drawn out that it is human that is very likely responsible for the warming of the oceans. The ocean is getting warmer, becoming more acidic and worst is the accelerated rising of sea level, if all of this will continue for hundreds of years to come, life on earth will be unsustainable. It is the time to think on what to do - raising of the land or holding back the sea. This is a dumb scenario which will eventually occur in the near future, because of human failure in responding to the present climate condition and still holding to old failing ways. All these things will never characterize reality if and only if humankind won’t let them happen. Failure for human to do so, the impact to the environment and in the ecosystem will not be good for it will lose the means of livelihood and in societal impact, the safety and the health of the public will become detrimental. The reality is becoming clearer; our ocean needs urgent action and attention from greenhouse gasses and over-exploitation. The message is very obvious: too much C02 is big threat to the health of the world ocean. There is a need to mitigate the increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere; much renewable energy sources are an option in replacement of fossil fuels. Humankind should address these problems now, or else they will bear the most horrible consequences. Bibliography CO2, 2010. What the world needs to watch, 2010. [Online] 07 June. Available at: http://co2now.org/ [Accessed 15 June 2010]. Curry, W., 2004. Common misconceptions about climate change. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), [Online] (Updated 27 May 2010). Available at: http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=12455&tid=282&cid=10149 [Accessed 15 June 2010]. Doney, S., 2007. Effects of climate change and ocean acidification on living marine resources. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), [Online] (Updated 27 May 2010). Available at: http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=8916&tid=282&cid=27206 [Accessed 15 June 2010]. Feely, R.A. Sabine, C.L. & Fabry, V.J., 2006. Carbon dioxide and our ocean legacy. [Online]. pp. 1-4. Available at: http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/pubs/PDF/feel2899/feel2899.pdf [Accessed 15 June 2010]. Harris, R., 2008. The mystery of global warming’s missing heat. NPR, [internet] 19 March. Available at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88520025 [Accessed 17 June 2010]. Ho, M.W., 2006. Oceans and global warming. Institute of Science in Society, [Online] 26 July. Available at: http://www.i-sis.org.uk/OceansGlobalWarming.php [Accessed 15 June 2010]. Infoplease, n.d. Relationship of the ocean and the atmosphere. [Online] 15 June. Available at: http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0860100.html [Accessed 15 June 2010]. Jungwi, M., 2009. How global warming affects the ocean. Suite101.com, [Online] 02 September. Available at: http://marinebiologyoceanography.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_global_warming_affects_the_ocean [Accessed 15 June 2010]. Levitus, S. Antonov, J.I. Boyer, T.P. & Stephens, C., 2000. Warming of the world ocean. Science, [Online] 24 March, 287 (5461), pp. 2225-2229. Available at: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/287/5461/2225 [Accessed 16 June 2010]. Lovgren, S., 2004. Warming to cause catastrophic rise in sea level? National Geographic News, [internet] 26 April. Available at: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/04/0420_040420_earthday.html [Accessed 17 June 2010]. Marian Koshland Science Museum, n.d.a. Ocean Circulation. [Online]. p. 5. Available at: http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/exhibitgcc/causes05.jsp [Accessed 15 June 2010]. Marian Koshland Science Museum, n.d.b. Volcanic Eruptions. [Online]. p. 6. Available at: http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/exhibitgcc/causes06.jsp [Accessed 15 June 2010]. Masters, J., n.d. The landmark 2007 IPCC report on climate change. Weather Underground, [Online] Available at: http://www.wunderground.com/education/ipcc2007.asp?MR=1 [Accessed 15 June 2010]. NASA, 2005. NASA science update: breakthrough discoveries in sea level change research. [Online] 07 July. Available at: http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/environment/sealevel_multimedia.html [Accessed 15 June 2010]. Ocean World, 2005. Marine food web. [Online] 19 January. Available at: http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/forams/forams_marine_food_web.htm [Accessed 16 June 2010]. Reaney, P., 2006. Impact of Krakatoa eruptions lasted decades –study. Planet Ark, [Online] 09 February. Available at: http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/34995/story.htm [Accessed 16 June 2010]. Shanahan, M., 2005. “Fingerprints” point to human cause of ocean warming. Scidev.net [internet] 08 July. Available at: http://www.scidev.net/en/news/fingerprints-point-to-human-cause-of-ocean-warmi.html [Accessed 15 June 2010]. Stevens, W.K., 2000. Researchers find ocean temperature rising, even in the depths. National Science/Health. [Online] 24 March. Available at: http://www.internetpirate.com/Researchers%20Find%20Ocean%20Temperature%20Rising,%20Even%20in%20the%20Depths.htm [Accessed 16 June 2010]. Stevenson, R.E., n.d. Yes, the ocean has warmed; no, it’s not ‘global warming.’ 21st Century Science & Technology Magazine, [Online] Available at: http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/articles/ocean.html [Accessed 15 June 2010]. Than, K., 2006. Warmer seas creating stronger hurricanes, study confirms. Live Science, 16 March. Available at: http://www.livescience.com/environment/060316_hurricane_sst.html [Accessed 17 June 2010]. Read More