Outlook for Oceans Bleak as Sea 'Deserts' Grow

[NickB79]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87959035

"The region of the ocean known as "the desert of the sea" has expanded dramatically over the past decade, according to a new study. Scientists looking at the color of the ocean from space have found that vast areas that were once green with plankton have been turning blue, as marine life becomes scarcer. If it's linked to global warming, as they suspect, this could be another blow for the world's fisheries."

snip

"One to 4 percent may not sound like all that much, but these regions are huge to begin with. So this marine desert has grown by 2.5 million square miles in the past decade. That's an area the size of Texas every year. Polovina makes the analogy to deserts on land, creeping into more productive environments."

snip

"As surface temperatures warm, that prevents colder water from rising up from the depths. And that colder water carries the nutrients that would feed the algae.

Scientists studying climate change have predicted this kind of change. But the sea desert has been spreading 10 times faster than climate scientists predicted. So Polovina is a bit cautious — this could be a shorter-term fluctuation, not a permanent change."

Ok, my first thought when I heard this on NPR yesterday was "Is this how a Canfield ocean begins?".

[winggirle]

1. Can someone....

give me the transcript copy of when Senator Clinton spoke
about endorsing John McCain..
thank you

[NickB79]

2. Odd response

Did Mr. Clinton say something about the dying oceans? :shrug:

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[phantom power]

3. We're going to find out.

The scary way.

[pscot]

5. I keep telling myself

that alcohol is a costly and self-destructive indulgence. Then I read a post like this one and find myself reaching for the Old Paint Remover again.