D4.3 Climate Change (IB Biology)

Anthropogenic

derived from human activities

positive feedback loop

Causes a system to change further in the same direction.

carbon cycle

The organic circulation of carbon from the atmosphere into organisms and back again

ocean acidification

decreasing pH of ocean waters due to absorption of excess atmospheric CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels

Melting sea ice

Will not affect sea level; melting of land ice will cause a rise in sea level.

ice sheets and glaciers

second largest reservoir of water

Afforestation

planting trees

deforestation

Destruction of forests

Phenology

the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life.

net carbon source

If more carbon leaves a store than enters it.

coral bleaching

A phenomenon in which algae inside corals die, causing the corals to turn white.

Ocean pH

Seawater is slightly alkaline
Surface water average pH 8.1
Ocean water pH decreases with depth