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| Satellite image shows a phytoplankton bloom that formed east of New Zealand between October 11 and October 25, 2009. (NASA images by Robert Simmon and Jesse Allen, based on MODIS data.) |
Welcome!!!!
As we see changes in temperature (increasing) due to climate change, we are also seeing changes in the oceans occurring such as- stratification of the ocean column with a layer of warm water forming on top of colder layer to changes in the food-webs leading and marine ecosystems. When we think of warm temperatures and ocean, we automatically think about people surfing, scuba diving or fishing. Rarely are we thinking about the impacts that these warmer temperatures are having on the oceans that cover 75% of our earth surface. With increasing temperatures we are seeing changes in marine food webs, tropic mismatch is occurring among marines species and effects on human consumerism.
The purpose of this blog is to look at the effects climate change has on
ocean stratification column, phytoplankton productivity, and on potential
marine ecosystem. With
temperatures rising due to anthropogenic climate changes, we are seeing a more
stratified ocean, where a visible differentiated layer of water is being seen. This
stratification of the ocean column is causing various problems such as decrease
in water mixing, to decrease in nutrients throughout the ocean to abundance in
certain marine species over others. Climate change is impacting the
phytoplankton populations, which in turn is affecting the amount of oxygen
production in the atmosphere and oceans. We are seeing shifts in ecosystem not
only of phytoplankton, but also are seeing an increase in abundance of other
marine organisms, such as jellyfishes.
These different issues
will be addressed more in depth through the various taps and answering
questions such as- how are rising temperatures in the Northeastern Pacific
Ocean affecting phytoplankton and other marine organisms? How will changes in
phytoplankton production effect marine food webs? What are the potential
effects of increasing ocean stratification and decrease in phytoplankton
population can have on human consumers? All this information can help us better understand how
climate change especially increasing ocean temperatures are effecting various
ecosystems and what it can tells us for future consequences. Hope you
will be able to learn something new from this blog. Enjoy!
