Sea surface temperature (SST) is a robust indicator of productivity, pollution, and global climate change. It can be measured using thermal infrared (IR) bands from optical satellites. Interpretive techniques are needed to convert the data to actual temperature. It has been used to locate sources of thermal pollution, upwelling and areas of rampant productivity. SST also indicates the stress to corals and other species.
Introduction:
SST is a necessary climate variable for knowing about the climate system and the ongoing climatic changes. The global mean SST has risen since the 1970s from decade-to decade, with effects for global weather patterns and oceanic ecosystems. Most reminiscing is the increasing frequency of mass bleaching events of coral reefs. Long-standing climate data archives of SST have been created from the satellite data which approve the quantification of climate alteration in the in-situ measurements. SST on research ships is calculated either from engine intake water, surface seawater samples collected in buckets or Niskin bottles, dedicated intake water lines, or thermistors mounted in probes.
Factors that lead to rise in SST:
The oceans of the world are steadily warming up with their average temperatures pushed higher and higher each year caused by global warming. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution a few hundred years ago, humans have burned chunks of fossil fuels, cut down gallons of forest and undertaken many activities that pump heat-trapping carbon dioxide into Earth's atmosphere. In response, the planet has heated up. Only about one percent of all that entombed heat has stayed in the atmosphere, but it's had a big effect, heating up the air by Earth's surface by about 1°F (0.6°C) on regular over the past two centuries. Most of the rest of the trapped heat has been absorbed into the planet’s vast oceans. The ocean absorbs enormous quantities of heat as a result of increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mainly from fossil fuel utilization. The Fifth Assessment Report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2013 stated that the ocean had soaked more than 93% of the excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions since the 1970s. This causes the ocean temperatures to rise.
Coral bleaching in coral reefs:
A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem featured by reef building corals. Reefs from when coral grow in shallow water close to the shore of continents or smaller islands. Reefs are made up of colonies of coral polyps joined together by calcium carbonate. Coral reefs are the most diverse of all marine environment. Nearly one-quarter of all ocean species thrive on reefs for food and shelter. This is extremely remarkable because reefs cover less than one percent of the Earth's surface and less than 2 percent of the ocean bottom. The wealth of the coral reefs has been assessed at 30 billion US dollars and possibly as much as 172 billion US dollars each year, providing food, defense of shore lines, jobs grounded on tourism and even medicine. Coral bleach when ocean waters warm just 1-2 degree Celsius above normal summertime temperatures. Now since these algae supply the coral with most of its food, prolonged bleaching and associated disease often kills corals. According to the Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000 report, almost 20% of reefs lost all around the globe are due to high temperatures.
Impacts of SST on fish diversity:
Responses of marine fishes towards global warming
Species range shift: under ocean warming range shifts, are mostly common towards higher latitudes, deeper waters.
Shift in community structure: Increase in ocean temperature results in increase of dominance of warmer water species in the ocean community.
Changes in body size: reduced oxygen affects the body size of fishes and invertebrates.
Remedial Measures to prevent marine life destruction and global warming:
The measures that can be undertaken are: thriving over sustainable seafood, conserving water since less water used implies less run-off to oceans, volunteering, using long lasting energy efficient light bulbs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, checking sunscreen active ingredients and seeking shade between 10am and 2pm, using ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) sun wear and choosing sunscreens with chemicals that don't harm marine life. If one dives into the sea, one must never touch corals since stirred - up sediment can smother them. Corals are already a gift and one must not give them as presents. One must ought to become a marine crusader. Practicing safe boating and anchoring in sandy areas away from corals and sea grasses can prove to be crucial in preventing their exploitation.
Conclusion:
Marine heat waves that ripple across Earth's surface are snowballing in regularity and strength, with the number of days that succeed as a heatwave increasing by more than 50 percent over the past period. During these events, temperatures near the surface of the ocean can barb up to several degrees above the average. Using the principle of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and Refuse, can help in conserving energy and reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from resource extraction, manufacturing and disposal. By strengthening scientific research, governments can in crease investment and monitor ocean warming and its effects will provide precise data on the scale, nature and impacts of ocean warming, making it possible to design and implement adequate and appropriate mitigation and adaptive strategies.
By Sarbojit Das
sarbojit.25@gmail.com
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