Ocean Warming (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards
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Define ocean warming.
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Cards in this collection (19)
Define ocean warming.
Ocean warming is the increase in average sea surface temperatures caused by human activities.
Which part of the ocean absorbs most of the heat from the sun and the atmosphere?
The uppermost layer of the ocean, about 100-200 meters deep, absorbs most of the heat from the sun and the atmosphere.
The oceans absorb over of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The oceans absorb over 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
How does burning fossil fuels drive ocean warming?
Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) releases carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which trap heat in the atmosphere and cause both air and ocean temperatures to rise.
True or False?
Melting polar sea ice slows ocean warming.
False.
Melting ice reduces the albedo effect, so the darker ocean absorbs more heat, creating a positive feedback loop that speeds up warming.
How does deforestation contribute to ocean warming?
Deforestation reduces carbon sequestration, which increases atmospheric CO₂ levels and traps more heat.
How does rising atmospheric water vapor amplify ocean warming?
Warmer air holds more water vapor, which is a potent greenhouse gas, so it traps more heat and amplifies warming.
Why does ocean warming raise the oxygen and food requirements of marine species?
Higher temperatures increase the metabolic rates of marine species, so they need more oxygen and food.
True or False?
Warmer oceans reduce the intensity of storms.
False.
Warmer oceans provide more energy to storms, which increases their intensity.
Warmer water holds less oxygen, which creates hypoxic zones that are uninhabitable for many species.
Warmer water holds less dissolved oxygen, which creates hypoxic zones that are uninhabitable for many species.
How are marine species shifting their distribution in response to ocean warming?
Marine species are migrating poleward to find cooler waters; for example, Atlantic mackerel have shifted northward.
Why does ocean warming lead to more disease outbreaks in marine organisms?
Higher sea temperatures favor pathogens and weaken immune responses in marine organisms, as seen in sea star wasting disease.
Define coral bleaching.
Coral bleaching is when corals expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues because of stress from higher sea temperatures.
Why does losing zooxanthellae make corals vulnerable to disease and death?
Zooxanthellae are the coral's primary source of energy (from photosynthesis), so without them the coral is weakened and cannot grow or reproduce effectively.
True or False?
A bleached coral is already dead.
False.
A bleached coral is still alive but weakened; it can recover if it regains zooxanthellae soon enough, but dies if high temperatures persist.
Sustained temperature increases of just above average can trigger coral bleaching.
Sustained temperature increases of just 1-2°C above average can trigger coral bleaching.
Why does coral bleaching reduce marine biodiversity?
About 25% of marine species depend on coral reefs for food and shelter, so extensive bleaching causes reef ecosystems to collapse.
How do healthy coral reefs protect coastal communities?
Coral reefs act as natural breakwaters, reducing wave energy and protecting coastlines from erosion.
Which two economic sectors are threatened by coral bleaching?
Coral bleaching threatens livelihoods that depend on reef-based tourism and fisheries.
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