Southern Ocean

The Effects of Ocean Acidification on the Southern Ocean Marine Organisms and the Ecosystem The Southern Ocean has changed slightly over the last thirty years (Constable, A.J, Melbourne-Thomas J, Corney S.P, et al. 2014). Modern society burn fossil fuels which cause a steady increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide combines with seawater producing carbonic acid and causes seawater to become more acidic, a process known as ocean acidification (Cooley S, Mathis J, Yates K. 2013). Antarctic krill is one of many marine organisms affected by the ocean acidity changing. Pteropods, commonly known as sea butterflies, are a small shelled marine organism about the size of a pea, like krill they are a major food source for larger organisms, and the decreasing pH is causing their…

Increases in the amount of heat that the earth’s oceans contain can cause many changes. These increases in temperature have increased the rate at which ice from glaciers and ice sheets melts which has led to a rise in the oceans sea level and volume. Storm systems are greatly affected by these temperature changes the warmer the ocean is the stronger the storm system becomes (1). The increase in warmth in the top layers of the ocean leads to stratification in its water columns minimizing…

This paper deals with the fact that there are many possible socio-economic indications regarding the impact of climate change on many of the inshore estuaries and offshore fisheries. The report showed that many marine ecosystems are exposed to different climate and ocean behaviour. It showed that due to different forms of harvesting, many fish populations and ecosystems have been heavily affected in the past century. Many shallow coastal and offshore species have caused a directional change in…

exploring the Ocean, here is the information that I have gathered so far. The Ocean covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface, it holds about 320 million cubic miles of water, which is over 97% of Earth’s water supply. The Temperature of the ocean varies from top to bottom. The upper layer which is about 200ft down is warmer that the lower part , the thermocline, because the top gets warmed by the sun. The temperature of the water can affect the productivity of organisms living in it. The Ocean…

Penguins, are black and white, flightless birds that can be found in the southern half of the world. There is at least one species of penguins in almost every zoo across the United States. Most of the United States population knows what penguins are and a few of their characteristics, but what those people do not realize that this animal could be in danger because of climate change. Many believe that certain penguin species are in danger. Some individuals think that penguins have to live in…

Oceans are large bodies of salt water which hold the largest variety of plants and animals on earth. Oceans have currents that travel worldwide, generated by breaking winds and water salinity. These currents also speed up ships and transport nutrients around the world. Marine plants also generate the majority of the world’s oxygen, and regulate climate worldwide. In conclusion, oceans are large bodies of saltwater which hold the majority of life. They also make more of the world habitable. Their…

intervened against Japanese whaling boats in the Southern Ocean. The boats followed the whaling fleet for three weeks and not a single whale was killed in this time. The campaign was a success with 528 whales saved, this cost the Japanese government tens of millions of dollars in losses. The 2012-2013 Operation Zero Tolerance expedition resulted in more than 932 whales saved, while the Sea Shepherd crew were attacked by concussion grenades and high powered water cannons. Extent and limitations…

Baleen Whales Baleen whales are the largest animals on earth, yet they feed on some of the smallest animals in the ocean. There are 12 baleen whale species divided into 4 families: Right, Pygmy right, Gray, and Rorqual. Characteristic baleen plates and paired blowholes help distinguish baleen whales from toothed whales. Whaling is definitely affecting the world's ecosystems. It has decimated the great whale population, especially in the southern hemisphere. The whales are vital to the food…

In the article “Hot Spots in a Freezing Ocean Offer lessons in Climate Change” talks about how climate change can affect the animals in Antarctica. Gail V. Ashton, a marine ecologist, and his colleagues predicted that in 50 years the Southern ocean will increase temperatures by 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit and in a 100 years the ocean will gain 3.6 degree Fahrenheit. In June 2015, Ashton started an experiment to determine what will happen to the aquatic animals if we heated the ocean. First, Ashton’s…

On the coast of the Jersey shore, lies a peaceful coastal city, Ocean City. Ocean city is a safe, dry island in southern New Jersey. The city becomes heavily populous with college students and suburban families as the climate turns from frigid to scorching. Ocean City is where many of my summer days were spent witnessing the gorgeous beach, roaming the board walk, dipping ice cream, and enjoying the day with close friends and family. At the crack of dawn, I wake up, trying to be as quiet as…