7 Oceans and Climate Free Online FlashCards

What three things do the ocean and atmosphere continually exchange?

The ocean and atmosphere exchange heat, water, and momentum.

How does ocean evaporation contribute to precipitation?

Evaporation transfers water from the ocean to the air, supplying moisture that contributes to clouds and precipitation.

How do winds help drive ocean currents?

Winds transfer momentum to the sea surface and help drive ocean currents.

How can warm surface currents moderate coastal climates?

Warm surface currents carry tropical heat toward higher latitudes, moderating nearby coastal climates.

What share of human-added excess climate heat has the ocean absorbed since the 1970s?

Since the 1970s, the ocean has absorbed more than 90% of the excess heat added to the climate system by human activities.

How do currents and mixing delay the release of ocean heat?

Currents and mixing carry some stored heat below the surface, delaying its release to the atmosphere.

What happens to some CO₂ taken up by seawater?

Some atmospheric CO₂ dissolves in seawater, and some is converted into dissolved forms such as bicarbonate.

How can phytoplankton move carbon toward deeper ocean water?

Phytoplankton absorb carbon through photosynthesis; some of their organic matter sinks into deeper water.

How can ocean warming affect the ocean’s CO₂ exchange with the air?

Warmer water holds less dissolved CO₂, so warming can weaken ocean uptake or promote CO₂ release to the atmosphere.

How does ocean warming contribute to sea-level rise?

Warming expands seawater, contributing to sea-level rise; melting glaciers and ice sheets add more water to the ocean.

What is ocean stratification, and what can stronger stratification do?

Stratification is the layering of water with different temperatures and densities. Stronger stratification makes vertical mixing more difficult.

What causes ocean acidification?

Ocean acidification is the lowering of seawater pH caused by the ocean’s uptake of human-produced CO₂.