1) The Gulf Stream circulation system brings warm water northward, acting as an ocean heat pump for northern Atlantic regions. Disruption of this system could cool those regions by 3-5 degrees Celsius. 2) El Niño events have economic and ecological impacts and have been occurring more frequently since the 1970s, possibly due to human-caused climate change. They cause fish to move deeper and result in mass starvation of sea birds. 3) Rising ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching where corals expel symbiotic algae, losing most of their food supply. This often results in coral death and replacement by macro algae. Temperature increases especially threaten Arctic ecosystems.

1. Climate Change Effects on Marine Systems

3. Effects on Marine Systems - Circulation

5. Effects on Marine Systems - Circulation

6. Effects on Marine Systems - Circulation

13. Normal El Niño Effects on Marine Systems - Circulation

14. Effects on Marine Systems - Circulation

17. La Ni ña Normal El Niño Effects on Marine Systems - Circulation

18. Effects on Marine Systems - Circulation

22. Effects on Marine Systems - Ecosystems http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/environment/environment-natural-disasters/landslides-and-more/el-nino.html

29. Effects on Marine Systems - Ecosystems (green – no bleaching , blue – low bleaching , yellow – medium bleaching , red – high bleaching )

34. Effects on Marine Systems - Ecosystems