If the oceans were not dissolving carbon dioxide, _______ intense hurricanes would occur, because the _______.
A) fewer; temperature would be warmer, thus there would be less evaporation
B) more; temperature would be colder, thus there would be more evaporation
C) more; temperature would be warmer, thus there would be more evaporation
D) fewer; temperature would be colder, thus there would be less evaporation
E) more; increased availability of carbon dioxide would lead to more evaporation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The oceans act as a natural carbon sink by dissolving carbon dioxide, which results in a decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. If this process did not occur, there would be an increased availability of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading to a warmer temperature, as carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. Warmer temperatures lead to more evaporation, which would result in more intense hurricanes, making choice C the correct answer.

If the Oceans Were Not Dissolving Carbon Dioxide, _______ Intense