I don’t believe that if the polar ice caps melt there would be worldwide flooding. Since the ice is floating in the water it displaces the volume of the water that is the same amount of the piece of ice, so as the ice melts it takes up the same amount of space. Or so I think it would... However, the change in water temperature will affect the species of plants and animals that can survive.
My Questions:
- Does the amount of ice that was over the top of the bowl affect if the water will overflow?
- How fast does water evaporate?
- Did some of the water evaporate during the time that it took the ice to melt?
Diana,
ReplyDeleteMy intial thoughts were very similar to yours. However, when I discussed my hypothesis with my husband he actually made me change my initial hypothesis. I do wonder how much of the water will be evaporated. I can not wait to finish the experiment and find out!!
You have a very valid point. I am leaning towards that as well. Just how much would the water level rise if the polar ice caps melted? This must be a consideration from scientists that study this. It is too bad that the media tries to make this such an issue and does not really go on scientific facts.
ReplyDeleteDiana,
ReplyDeletePolar ice caps hold most of the earth's fresh water. Once it melts and the water reaches our oceans, it gets mixed in with salt water. It is very coslty to extract drinking water from our oceans.
Sea levels would rise because you are adding a lot of water to these already large bodies of water. Tides would then help bring this water to areas and estuaries that may never have been affected by tides. Either way, melting ice caps will have devastating effects on our wildlife and ecoloy.
The more research that I do the more unsure I become of my original thoughts. I'm starting to agree with all of you who say that it will cause world wide flooding.
ReplyDelete