Ocean Quest

• Introduction
• Task
• Process
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
• Credits


• Teacher Page

by Heidi Lappi, Clarkstown High School North

An inquiry-based activity to research how greenhouse gases affect the oceans.

Introduction

Oceanographers are contemplating dissolving greenhouse gases into the dense deep ocean waters to remove these gases from the atmosphere. These gases are linked to global warming, and they feel that we would benefit from removing them from the atmosphere and placing them in the deepest, densest water. This water takes 100s of years to recirculate to the surface. This will give us 100s of years without greenhouse gases in our environment. Could this solve global warming?

How will dissolving greenhouse gases into the water affect the established ecosystems? With the ocean becoming more sensitive to human interactions, how will dissovling these gases affect the homeostasis of marine environments? Should we vote for or against this action?