Final answer:
The melting of the Arctic ice is contributing to rising global sea levels, which will negatively impact coastal regions and ecosystems. The expansion of warming ocean water also contributes to this rise, with predictions of a two to four-foot increase by 2100. Regional factors will affect the extent of change in different areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rising Sea Levels Due to Melting Arctic Ice:
As the Arctic Ocean's ice melts, global sea levels are expected to rise significantly. This is due to both the addition of water previously stored as ice and the expansion of ocean water as it warms. The sea has been rising at 1.8 mm per year on average, with recent rates reaching between 2.9 to 3.4 mm per year.
An ice-free Arctic in summer, possibly by mid-century, and shrinking glaciers contribute to this rise in sea levels. If these trends continue, a two to four-foot rise in sea levels could occur by 2100, significantly impacting coastal ecosystems and human settlements.
The continued warming will also increase the acidity of the oceans and lead to reductions in ice and snow cover, as well as thawing perma_frost. This has further implications for freshwater supplies, as the melting and refreezing cycles that replenish freshwater reserves are altered. Regional factors such as land elevation changes, currents, winds, and proximity to melting ice sheets will influence the degree of sea level rise in specific areas.