Education: Effects of Water Cycle Changes on the Ocean
How is the Water Cycle Changing? And How are these Changes Affecting the Ocean?
Studies suggest that seawater is becoming fresher in high latitudes and tropical areas dominated by rain, while in sub-tropical
high evaporation regions, waters are getting saltier. This pattern appears to be related to changes in evaporation,
precipitation, and ocean circulation in what some scientists call an "accelerated" water cycle.In addition, the world's ocean helps ease climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, an increase in salinity in some regions will reduce seawater's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Such changes could significantly impact the climate in which we live.
Featured Movie: Aquarius Sees Salty Shifts
Hands-On Activities
Online Activities
Movies
- Melting Ice, Rising Seas: Coastal Impacts of Sea Level Rise
- Melting Ice, Rising Seas: Global Warming & Ocean Change
- Melting Ice, Rising Seas: Ice Melt & Sea Level Rise
- Melting Ice, Rising Seas: Studying Change in Ice Sheets & Glaciers
- Salt of the Earth: Climate Change Impacts on Salinity
- Salt of the Earth: Ocean Atmosphere Circulation Helps Moderate Climate
- Salt of the Earth: Salinity, Temperature & Density
- Water, Water Everywhere: Condensation & Precipitation
- Water, Water Everywhere: Sun Fuels Evaporation
- Water, Water Everywhere: Water Cycle & Climate Change
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