Question

what effect does the melting of glaciers have on the ocean water near them? (1 point)
it causes the water to deflect at the equator.
it raises the surface temperature of the water.
it decreases the salinity of the water.
it forms hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions.

Explanation:

Glaciers are made of freshwater ice. When they melt, they add freshwater to the ocean. Salinity is a measure of the amount of salt in water. Since freshwater has less salt than ocean water, adding freshwater (from melting glaciers) to ocean water near them lowers (decreases) the overall salinity of that ocean - water.

• Water deflection at the equator is mainly due to the Coriolis effect (caused by Earth's rotation), not glacier - melt.
• Melting glaciers (which are ice, at or near \(0^{\circ}C\) typically) would not raise the surface temperature of ocean water (which is generally warmer than that).
• Formation of hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions is more related to processes like the dissolution of carbon dioxide in water (e.g., in the context of ocean acidification from increased atmospheric \(CO_2\)), not glacier - melt.

Answer:

It decreases the salinity of the water.