The warming of the oceans, what can it do to us? It’s more fun for swimming, isn’t it? In fact, when the planet heats up (I was told it was!), It is the ocean that stores 90% of the energy received. And the consequences are not really encouraging …
That the temperature of the ocean increases, it may initially seem trivial. But at the start only… To make you aware, I am going to talk to you about three major consequences that have a direct impact on us humans. I’m pretty sure you haven’t guessed all three.
The ocean absorbs excess energy
Did you know that the oceans absorb 93% of the excess energy on Earth. Why that ? Because oceans cover 71% of the planet’s surface, that they have a depth of 4000 m on average and that the density of water is greater than that of air.
That’s why the oceans have a much greater heat capacity than that of the atmosphere, which absorbs only 1% of the excess energy on Earth.
The oceans are warming by the order of a tenth of a degree on the surface. An increase of a tenth of a degree does not seem like much – hardly enough to make our swimming more pleasant.
But this increase in surface temperature as well as that of the depths (more important) have both important and dramatic consequences.
Consequence 1 – Marine Biodiversity
Warming oceans have a direct impact on marine biodiversity. When the natural habitat of all these species of fish and algae is turned upside down, either marine life adapts or it disappears. This is the case of Coral reef that global warming is destroying at a record rate.
Warming is also having an impact on the dissolving oxygen in water. This is because hotter water has more difficulty in dissolving oxygen.
The warming of surface water tends to reduce the quantity of oxygen sent to “intermediate” waters a little deeper. These waters, deprived of oxygen, become uninhabitable for some species.
Of course, not all species react the same. The warming of the oceans, for example, promotes the development of certain pathogens and promotes the proliferation of toxic algae. Top !
The increase in ocean temperature also has a major consequence out of the water.
Consequence 2 – Cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons
The first thing to understand is: How is a cyclone formed? For a cyclone develops, the ocean temperature must be above 26 ° C in the first 60 meters to allow intense evaporation and transfers of moisture from the ocean to the atmosphere.
It is for this reason that cyclones weaken quickly by penetrating inland, where they are no longer supplied with hot water.
So this is the ocean temperature which creates cyclones and which increases the speed of movement of air masses. A warming of the ocean should therefore give no more cyclones (although, honestly, this has not been verified by the numbers) and more violent.
And here is the last consequence that we don’t often think about.
Consequence 3 – The increase in the water level
The volume of ocean water expands due to the rise in temperature.
For equal amounts, hot water occupies a larger volume than cold water. Thus, under the effects of the excess heat stored by the oceans global sea level is rising.
It is therefore a important consequence for the regions coastal areas, although this is not the only cause of the rise in sea level.
Read also:
2 ° C, what does that change for the planet?
A little greenhouse cocktail?
The tree will fall (deforestation is in full swing)
The oceans are heating up, so what?
Acting for the environment takes time …
In conclusion, lincrease in ocean temperature has consequences for marine biodiversity, cyclones and water levels. It may still seem a bit abstract, especially if you live in the middle of a continent.
