DOL Glacial Melting

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What is glacial melting?

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The process by which glaciers and ice caps lose mass due to melting, primarily caused by rising temperatures.

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How does pollution affect glacial melting?

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Pollution contributes to glacial melting by introducing pollutants that absorb sunlight, increasing temperatures and accelerating the melting process.

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What are greenhouse gases?

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Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

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What is albedo?

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The measure of reflectivity of a surface; higher albedo means more sunlight is reflected, while lower albedo means more sunlight is absorbed.

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How does soot contribute to glacial melting?

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Soot darkens ice surfaces, reducing albedo and increasing the absorption of sunlight, which accelerates melting.

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What is the impact of glacial melting on sea levels?

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Glacial melting contributes to rising sea levels, which can lead to coastal flooding and loss of habitat.

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What is biodiversity?

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The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the number of different species.

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How does pollution disrupt food chains in aquatic ecosystems?

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Pollution can lead to the decline of species, disrupting the balance of food chains and resulting in loss of biodiversity.

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What are heavy metals?

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Toxic elements like lead, mercury, and cadmium that can accumulate in the environment and harm living organisms.

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What is hypoxia?

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A condition in which there is insufficient oxygen in water, often caused by pollution and leading to dead zones.