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May 9, 2006
Although its exact cause is unknown and debatable, the warming of the earth
that is occurring today which is often referred to as Global Warming is likely to result
in significant change in the biosphere of the Earth. One change that is of worry to
Ocean currents play a significant role in providing warmth to Europe and over
a year’s average, provides one third as much warmth to Europe as the Sun does2,
and if these currents were disrupted, the average temperature in Europe would
decrease massively, virtually freezing the continent. Freshwater from melted ice from
the Arctic Ocean and ice caps in the area because of warming temperatures would
directly impact and eventually cool temperatures in areas which gain heat from the
ocean currents, mainly Europe. When ocean currents function as they currently are,
warm water from the south flows northward. The warm, northerly flowing water stays
on top of the deeper waters in the ocean because of its warmth and lower salt
content which makes it less dense. When the reaches cooler, northerly parts of the
ocean, it gives up most of its heat to Europe and becomes very cool and dense. In
addition, this cool water becomes very salty because some water evaporates on its
movement north. This dense water sinks very deep and then flows south, where it
then rises again and is warmed and continues on its cycle northward again.
The reason global warming would disrupt this cycle is because the warming
temperatures would melt glaciers and ice caps which would release a great amount
of fresh water into the ocean. An influx of fresh water in the ocean would mean that
the water which sinks in cool areas because of its saltiness would be less salty, and if
1
Ruth Curry and Cecilie Mauritzen. Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Oslo.
2
Dr. John Gribbin. Ocean Forces Threaten Our Climate. Online Available at
www.firstscience.com/site/articles/gribbin.asp. Article Published 2005. Viewed 5/9/2006.
Christian Dunn
May 9, 2006
that water lost so much of its saltiness to being mixed with fresh water that it did not
While it is unknown whether the conditions in the future will change enough to
trend.
3
John Roach. Global Warming May Alter Atlantic Currents. National Geographic News. Article Published
6/27/2005. Viewed 5/9/2006.