- Extended Questions
- What happens if the polar ice caps melt?
If the polar ice caps melt, it starts a chain reaction of events. Not only will ocean levels be affected by the melting ice, habitats, ecosystems, food supplies, and survival of certain species will be threatened. According to the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment released in November, 2004, adding that amount of fresh water to the ocean systems could alter the circulation of currents and regional climates (Handwerk, 2004). Changing the salinity of the water would also affect the species who call the Arctic Ocean home. Plants and animals have adapted to live in their environment, those that are unable to adapt do not survive. Changing the conditions would force these species to either adapt again or face extinction. As the ice caps begin to melt, the glaciers break apart into icebergs. This would also affect us in that we would not have the opportunity to tap into these frozen fresh water sources before they melt into the salty oceans.
With the disappearance of their frozen habitats, some animal species would have trouble continuing to thrive, such as polar bears and some seal species. A study conducted by the University of Colorado Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) also shows that with the disappearance of the ice, the land is eroding quicker as it is exposed to the open ocean for longer periods of time (National Snow and Ice Data Center, 2011).
Melting polar ice caps would also affect low-lying areas that are far removed from the icy regions. These areas would include places such as low coastal areas of Florida and Louisiana. With even a small rise in sea level, these coastal areas would be flooded and in some places, the coastline could be moved inland as much as 150 feet, causing social, economic, and environmental hardships (Handwerk, 2004).
b. What other questions do you have about this Science Inquiry Experience?
I found the process of how world scientists study and actually measure the change in sea level to be fascinating. With all of the variables, such as daily tides, waves, currents, and even density changes in the water due to temperature differences, giving an accurate measurement for sea level is no easy task. Satellites have made the process slightly easier, but there are still such a great many variables to take into account. Although water displacement plays a major role in the amount that sea level will or will not rise due to the melting polar ice caps, there is still the fact that glaciers on top of land will cause ocean levels to eventually rise as they begin to break apart and melt.
Brain, M. If the Polar Ice Caps Melted, how much would the oceans rise?
Handwerk, B. (2004, November 9). Arctic Melting Fast; May Swamp U.S. Coasts by 2099. National Geographic. Retrieved from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/11/1109_041109_polar_ice.html
Retrieved from the National Snow and Ice Data Center website: http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/
Shellee, your post was so interesting to read and so packed with information. The outcome sounds a bit scary for those who live close to the coast in Florida!
ReplyDeleteI have also considered the water displacement theory that our experiment caused us to believe, however I agree that this does not account for glaciers on land. I have also read that warmer temperatures can allow the atmosphere to hold more water vapor and release more snow. There are so many possibilities and viewpoints, that it's hard to say what could actually happen.
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