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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!