Oceans, People & Changing Climate

Marilyn connected her work analyzing isotopes to climate change.

Presentation

Heavy and Light Stable Isotopes—Lighter isotopes react/move faster than heavy isotopes (Just like some people). Greenhouse gas consists of:

o Carbon Dioxide: CO2
o Methane: CH4
o Water Vapor: H2O
o Nitrous Oxide: N2O

If you go out and measure the isotopes, you can tell that the isotopes have changed; it is possible to ascertain that they came from fossil fuel.

• The currents and land masses that we have are the ones we’ve evolved with; they were not "always" this way! If the patterns change, it has significant implications for the Earth.

Discussion:
• Great Ocean Conveyor Belt that moves nutrients around the world is density-driven: Salty, cold water is heavy
• Heat bounces back down from layer of greenhouse gases (trivia: The major source of pollution in Los Angeles basin=cows)

What’s the difference between climate and weather? Arguments one has on airplanes.
o Weather: It rained today
o Climate: Averages, statistics

• What happens as the Earth’s temperature increases?
o Ice melts, sea level rises=flooding, gyres change
o As you start to heat the land and air, the wind direction changes
o Will the conveyor belt stop? No-one really knows.

Conclusion:
• The heat content of the ocean has increased from 1960 to the present: 1.15 c
• Ocean circulation may change, and may even shut down
• Oceans will absorb CO2, and change the chemistry enough to affect organisms
• Sea level has risen due to melting ice caps and sea ice: about 60mm
ce caps and sea ice: about 60mm