Question

The world's oceans play a role in reducing global warming by:

A) absorbing surplus heat energy.
B) increasing oceanic primary productivity.
C) moving carbon dioxide and nutrients from the deep ocean to the surface ocean.
D) removing CO2 and sequestering CO2 above the thermocline.
E) trapping CO2 in sea ice.

Answer 1

The world's oceans reduce global warming by absorbing surplus heat energy, moving carbon dioxide and nutrients from the deep ocean to the surface ocean, and removing and sequestering CO2 above the thermocline.

Step-by-step explanation:

The world's oceans play a role in reducing global warming by:

1. Absorbing surplus heat energy: The ocean acts as a heat sink, absorbing excess heat energy from the atmosphere. This helps regulate global temperatures and prevents them from rising too rapidly.
2. Moving carbon dioxide and nutrients from the deep ocean to the surface ocean: Ocean currents transport carbon dioxide and nutrients from the deep ocean to the surface. This process, known as upwelling, brings up nutrient-rich water that supports the growth of phytoplankton, which absorbs carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
3. Removing CO2 and sequestering CO2 above the thermocline: The ocean can absorb and store carbon dioxide, helping to reduce its concentration in the atmosphere. This process occurs primarily in the surface layers of the ocean above the thermocline.