Climate change is a pressing issue today that refers to changes in temperature and weather patterns that affect the planet. This issue does not just affect coastal areas, but the whole world, even West Virginia.

Let us go over some of these issues in the next few chapters! 

Tides

    A tide is a motion in waves. There is a high tide and low tide that happen twice a day. These take place about every six hours. When a low tide occurs from a high tide, it is referred to as an ebb tide. The opposite is called a flood tide.

    Because of rising sea levels, high tides are becoming more dangerous. They last longer and are affecting larger premises. This can cause damage to coastal areas and also affect the marine life. A prime example of affected marine life would be jellyfish. High tides push them to foreign areas where they become stuck and die.

Tsunamis

    Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and underwater explosions. Because of these events, large waves are created that move inland and can be devastating to coastal regions.     

    Once again, rising sea levels that stem from melting glaciers and the earth's temperature rising, affects haw drastic these waves can be. Climate change also affects tectonic plates and ocean movement, meaning the earthquakes can happen more often, causing more tsunamis.

Red Tides

    Red tides occur from algal blooms. These blooms are harmful and are created when there is an abundance of algae. This alga also contains harmful materials that can affect the marine life and their habitat. Red tides can create dead zones, something we will discuss soon.

    High wind speeds can also affect red tides since wind moves nutrients from place to place, meaning they can overfeed dinoflagellate. Overfeeding can lead to clusters. Wind speeds have increased due to climate change meaning that the cycle is far from over.  

Coral Bleaching

    Coral Bleaching happens because the coral is too hot. When this happens, coral naturally get rid of the helpful algae that grows within the skin. Because the coral is bare, it begins to turn white. While it doesn't die instantly, it becomes very weak and vulnerable. 

    This is happening more often because the earth's temperature is rising, meaning the ocean is getting warmer. There are a few other examples that can cause this event including pollution, overexposure to the sun, and low tides. All of these examples, though, can still be connected to the effects of climate change.

Hurricanes

    Hurricanes are a relatively common occurrence, but they are becoming more harmful because of rising sea levels. Rising sea levels mean more water and space to feed these hurricanes. Hurricanes also rely on the heat of the ocean, and since the ocean is getting warmer, this means that that more energy is being supplied to the hurricane.   

Dead Zones

    Dead zones happen because of HAB, or harmful algal blooms. HABs produce red tides and dead zones. Dead zone are areas in the ocean that have no life. These areas become so overrun with HABs that they are toxic to sustain life. This means that marine life has to travel to foreign places and that the coral and plants are neglected. 

    One of the main reasons these areas are harmful is because of the lack of oxygen. Fertilizer helps these areas are created. Fertilizer is dumped into the ocean and create HABs.

Water Movement

Watersheds: these areas are a channel to a lager body of water. Rain and water runoff will be channeled to this body of water

Currents: movements of water from place to place. Currents are important because it helps move important materials like marine life and nutrients. 

Upwelling: movement of cold water from the depths of the ocean to the surface. This water is filled with nutrients

Downwelling: surface water becomes dense and makes its way to the depth of the ocean

Ocean Acidification

    The ocean's Ph is decreasing, meaning that the ocean is becoming acidic. Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is absorbing into ocean waters. This is the main reason for ocean acidification.

    CO2 comes from carbon admissions that happen in the atmosphere. The atmosphere and ocean are closely connected. The acidification of the ocean makes it harder for some marine life to thrive. Thousands of years ago, the ocean became so acidic, it led to a mass extinction. If we do not change our ways, we could head towards another one. 

Offshore Drilling

    Offshore drilling is a popular method of obtaining petroleum oil. This method requires drilling beneath the seabed.  There are many harmful aspects of this process but one of the worse is the release of the toxic pollution that mix into the ocean and the air.

    This and CO2 add to climate change. Ocean acidification can be brought up again.