1) What happens if the polar ice caps melt?
After conducting the experiment and seeing that none of the water actually overflowed from the cup, I'm torn. Part of me thinks that ocean levels would have to rise and cause flooding along coastal areas, but then now I think maybe it will not happen. I still think flooding will occur, just maybe not nearly as much as some people have predicted.
The biggest affect I see coming from melted ice caps would be the destruction of the habitat of polar bears, seals and other arctic animals. This would have deadly affects on all of the animals of that area which would most likely lead to extinction.
2) What other questions do you have about this Science Inquiry Experience?
What would happen to the sea life if all this freshwater was added to the saltwater. It would obviously dilute the salt content, but would the sea life be able to adapt to it or would it cause mass destruction of sea life unable to adapt to less salty seas?
After conducting the melting ice experiment, I realized the experimental conditions consisted of ice cubes of the same chemical solute composition as the water it was melting into. This would raise speculation as to whether the likelihood of the ocean levels rising from the melting of floating glaciers was a true threat. After accounting for the fact that glaciers were adding freshwater to salt water environments, my feelings began to change. From a chemistry standpoint, the more solute a solution contains, the denser it is. The more dilute it becomes, the less dense it is. As density decreases, volume increases, so if enough icebergs melted into the ocean, the decrease in density could raise ocean levels. Furthermore, since the currents that govern variations in the Earth’s climate are caused by salt gradients, an overall decrease in salt concentration could have drastic effects on the climate worldwide.
ReplyDeleteWhen I did my experiment, I had an ice cube over the edge of the mug. As time passed on the ice melted down the side of the mug. Which in turn had water dripping down the mug. Did this ever happen in your experiment. I agree with you and say that flooding will occur if the polar ice caps melted. I bleive that the sea life can adapt, although it would take them time to adapt. Just think our world was once a large piece of land, but then it became seven different continents. Each habitat had to adapt to different climates, areas, and so on. I think it would take a long time for the sea life to adapt to freshwater.
ReplyDeleteAaron, I agree with you on the freshwater and saltwater mixing causing drastic affects on the climate. As Claire said though, everything did eventually adapt over time so hopefully the wildlife would eventually adapt to the new conditions if the polar caps melted. Hopefully we won't have to wonder about what will happen and we can make changes now that would stop drastic climate changes from happening in the future.
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