ocean

Guest

Dear Max
will this affect the Atlantic ocean.

Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 43

Dear Courtney,

One of the very interesting things about the Arctic is that there are lots of HUGE rivers that flow into the Arctic Ocean. With global warming, we think that the amount of water flowing in the rivers will increase (because there will be more rain and snow in the Arctic), and more river water flowing into the Arctic Ocean will make the ocean water less salty. Eventually the water in the Arctic Ocean enters the Atlantic Ocean, and it is there that the less salty Arctic Ocean water can really have a big effect. In fact, it is possible that the less salty water from the Arctic Ocean could completely change the way water circulates in the Atlantic Ocean. So to answer your question, yes, the water from the Lena River and other large arctic rivers can and does influence the Atlantic Ocean.

Just a quick update: We left Zhigansk today and are now in a hotel in the town of Yakutsk. We all really excited to be on our way home (we go to Moscow tomorrow and then back to the U.S. on Saturday), but we are also sad to be leaving the wonderful Lena River and many great new friends that we made in Zhigansk.

Thanks for the question,

Max