The loss of ice cover in the Arctic will

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The loss of ice cover in the Arctic threatens the habitats of various species that are adapted to cold environments, such as polar bears, seals, and certain species of whales. These animals rely on sea ice for hunting, breeding, and resting.
B) Raise the ocean temperature: Indirectly true. While the loss of ice cover itself doesn't raise ocean temperature, it contributes to a phenomenon known as the albedo effect. Ice and snow reflect a large portion of the sun's rays back into space. When ice melts, the darker ocean water absorbs more heat, which can contribute to warming the ocean over time.
C) Raise the air temperature: True. Similar to the ocean temperature, the loss of reflective ice surfaces leads to more heat being absorbed by the Earth's surface, contributing to the warming of air temperatures in the Arctic region. This is part of a feedback loop where warming leads to more ice melt, which in turn leads to more warming.
D) Increase sea levels: True. While the melting of sea ice itself does not contribute significantly to sea-level rise (since floating ice displaces its own mass in water), the loss of ice cover can accelerate the melting of nearby land ice, such as glaciers and the Greenland ice sheet, which does contribute to sea-level rise when it melts and flows into the ocean.
E) All of the above: Given the explanations above, the most comprehensive answer is E) All of the above, as the loss of ice cover in the Arctic has the potential to impact resident species, contribute to the warming of ocean and air temperatures, and increase sea levels through the melting of land ice.

The Loss of Ice Cover in the Arctic Will