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From: Cat
Date: 11/1/02
Time: 12:47:24 AM
Remote Name: 80.74.169.11
Here are a few causal chains I’ve come up with:
E>H>B>A>E Ice shelf disintegration and ice shelf melting change the composition of the ocean water, specifically its density, salinity, and stratification. Phytoplanktons are the basis of the marine food chain. They pull considerable amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, specifically the Phaeocystis antarctica which thrive in deeply mixed (fresh sea) water and low light conditions. Diatoms flourish in the fresher water at the top; however, they take up only half as much carbon dioxide as do the P. Antarctica. Reductions in the numbers of P. antarctica, would mean greater amounts of carbon dioxide remain in the atmosphere adding to global warming which would then enhance the event of ice shelf disintegration and ice shelf melting. (http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/Polynyas/)
E>A>H>L>B Less ice cover would mean more heat and water vapor is released into the atmosphere which could affect local cloud coverage and precipitation. Increased evaporation results in increased precipitation. (http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/MediaAlerts/2002/200202167819.html) Due to increased temperatures, glacial ice melting would cause the sea level to rise considerably, wiping out coastal areas like New Orleans or the Netherlands. Antarctica alone stores about 70% of Earth’s fresh water; its melting would raise sea levels by more than 65 meters. (http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/mamm/) Increased precipitation could cause further damage to those coastal areas affected by floods causing further erosion and greatly impact the organisms living on the coastal lands.