Global Warming Creating Louder, Polluted Oceans

Carbon dioxide, responsible for global warming, is also being absorbed by our seas creating noisier oceans. This greenhouse gas reacts with the ocean altering its PH, thus creating more acidic water. As sound travels in the ocean some of the sound wave's energy is absorbed as it interacts with salt and other molecules that determine how far it travels.  Keith Hester, a researcher with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, predicts sounds will travel 70 percent farther in 2050 as a result of increased carbon dioxide acidifying our oceans.  A louder ocean will negatively affect marine animals, like whales and dolphins, that rely on sonar to navigate, communicate, and find food.   85 percent of all carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere ends up in our oceans.
Via: Santa Cruz Sentinel

Read More in: environment

Share this Article with others:

Related Articles:

• 6 Months Later: Is Our Food Still Radioactive from Japan's Nuclear Fallout? - Sep 08, 2011
• Exxon "Whitewashes" Yellowstone River Oil Spill - Jul 14, 2011
• LeafSnap App Makes Tree Identification Easy - Jun 14, 2011

Came straight to this page? Visit Really Natural for all the latest news.

Posted by Jennifer Lance at February 5, 2009 1:55 AM