What happened to the Arctic Ocean during the past 40 years?(1 point)ResponsesIt has become less salty.It has become less salty.It has become warmer.It has become warmer.It has gained more sea ice.It has gained more sea ice.It has grown smaller.It has grown smaller.

It has become warmer.

How much of Earth is comprised of ice?(1 point)Responsesabout 30 percentabout 30 percentabout 10 percentabout 10 percentabout 70 percentabout 70 percentabout 90 percent

about 10 percent

Which feature of Earth would reflect the greatest amount of incoming sunlight?(1 point)Responsesice covered by snowice covered by snowsea icesea icelight ocean waterlight ocean waterdark ocean water

ice covered by snow

What is the effect of changing temperature on the Arctic Ocean as observed by scientists over the last few decades?(1 point)ResponsesThere are more areas of open ocean.There are more areas of open ocean.There are more places with cold water.There are more places with cold water.There is less saltwater.There is less saltwater.There is more sea ice.

There are more areas of open ocean.

Why has the temperature of the Arctic Ocean changed during the last 40 years?(1 point)ResponsesMore sunlight now reaches Earth than in the past.More sunlight now reaches Earth than in the past.Less snow falls in the Arctic now than 40 years ago.Less snow falls in the Arctic now than 40 years ago.Sea ice has produced more salt, causing the cold ocean water to sink.Sea ice has produced more salt, causing the cold ocean water to sink.Sea ice has melted, allowing more sunlight to hit the ocean.

Sea ice has melted, allowing more sunlight to hit the ocean.

To find out what has happened to the Arctic Ocean during the past 40 years, we can look at scientific research and data from reliable sources. Several changes have taken place in the Arctic Ocean over the past four decades.

Firstly, it has become less salty. The decrease in salinity is primarily due to the melting of ice and increased freshwater input from rivers and precipitation. These factors have diluted the saltwater in the region.

Secondly, the Arctic Ocean has become warmer. Rising global temperatures have resulted in increased melting of sea ice, leading to warmer surface waters. Warmer water temperatures have significant implications for the Arctic ecosystem and can cause further ice melt.

Thirdly, contrary to what some might expect, the Arctic Ocean has experienced a loss of sea ice over the past 40 years. The decrease in sea ice extent is a result of rising temperatures caused by climate change. This reduction in sea ice has numerous consequences for indigenous communities, wildlife, and the global climate system.

Lastly, the Arctic Ocean has not grown smaller in terms of its physical size, but the loss of sea ice and the warming of waters have caused significant changes in the ecosystem and its dynamics.

These changes in the Arctic Ocean have been extensively studied by scientists who use various methods such as satellite observations, on-site measurements, and computer models to gather data and monitor the state of the ocean.