Ocean Warming in AP Environmental Science

Definition

Ocean warming refers to the increase in temperature of the Earth's oceans due to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This rise in temperature has detrimental effects on marine ecosystems, including coral bleaching and disruption of food chains.

Related terms

Coral Bleaching:

Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel the algae living within their tissues due to stress from factors like high water temperatures, leading to their loss of color and potential death.

Thermal Expansion: Thermal expansion is the process by which water expands as it heats up, causing sea levels to rise. This phenomenon is primarily driven by ocean warming.

El Niño:

El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. It can lead to extreme weather events worldwide and is influenced by ocean warming.