26 Climate Management Issues
This is one of the concerns about the steadily increasing levels of greenhouse
gases. If the oceans reach the point where they cannot continue to absorb any
more CO
2
, it could upset the balance of ocean currents and climate patterns
on a global scale.
In the world’s oceans, the properties of density, temperature, and salinity
all work together and result in distinct characteristics that ultimately relate to
climate change. Solar energy is absorbed by seawater and stored as heat in
the oceans. Some of the energy that is absorbed may evaporate seawater,
which increases its temperature and salinity. When a substance is heated, it
expands, and its density is lowered. Conversely, when a substance is cooled,
its den ...