Which Scenario Results From The Lack Of Upwelling During An El Niño Period?
Which Scenario Results From The Lack Of Upwelling During An El Niño Period?
Answer:
During an El Niño period, the lack of upwelling in the eastern Pacific Ocean leads to several effects on the weather and the environment. One of the scenarios that result from the lack of upwelling during an El Niño period is a decrease in primary productivity in the affected regions.
Upwelling is a process in which cold, nutrient-rich waters from the deeper ocean layers rise to the surface. This process is crucial for the growth of phytoplankton, which is the base of the marine food chain. During El Niño events, the trade winds weaken, causing a reduction in upwelling along the coast of South America.
As a result, the surface waters become warmer and less nutrient-rich, leading to a reduction in the productivity of phytoplankton. This decline in primary productivity can have cascading effects on the entire marine ecosystem, impacting fish populations, seabirds, marine mammals, and fisheries.
In addition to the impact on marine life, the reduced upwelling during El Niño can also affect weather patterns globally, leading to changes in precipitation, temperature, and atmospheric circulation in various regions around the world.