Question

question 17 of 25
which of these decreases as greenhouse gas pollution increases?
a. sea levels
b. ocean surface temperature
c. rate of ice - sheet melting
d. ocean salinity

Explanation:

• Option A: As greenhouse gas pollution increases, global warming occurs. This causes ice - sheets and glaciers to melt, leading to an increase in sea levels, not a decrease.
• Option B: Greenhouse gas pollution traps heat in the atmosphere. A significant portion of this heat is absorbed by the oceans, so ocean surface temperature increases, not decreases.
• Option C: With more greenhouse gas pollution and higher global temperatures, the rate of ice - sheet melting increases due to warmer air and ocean temperatures that accelerate the melting process.
• Option D: When ice - sheets (which are freshwater) melt due to increased greenhouse gas pollution (and subsequent warming), they add freshwater to the oceans. Since salinity is the measure of salt content in water, the addition of freshwater (which has low salt content) dilutes the ocean water, causing ocean salinity to decrease.

Answer:

D. Ocean salinity