ARCTIC WATERS
"These sharks are some of the most fascinating species of sharks on the planet and truly display the rich biodiversity of shark species." - UNKNOWN
how do sharks survive these frigid waters?Good question - it's a superpower we are still learning more about! We've uncovered some neat stuff- a study in 2005 uncovered that salmon sharks have an enhanced set of proteins that help their hearts contract at cold temperatures.
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and not all sharks can survive the cold...Early in 2018, sharks were literally freezing to death in the USA (it made the news). Not all sharks come equipped with the unusual biological adaptations that are required to survive the harsh environment of the Arctic waters.
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OIL explorationThe Arctic holds some of the world’s largest undeveloped oil reserves. Exploring for oil and gas in this region, whether on land or in the ocean, is challenging. Unpredictable weather, harsh sea swells, and more increase the risk of a spill in this fragile ecosystem. There is no oil spill cleanup technologies for spills in Arctic sea ice that are proven to work.
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CLIMATE CHANGEThe “albedo effect” is currently happening in the Arctic - that's when the dark seawater absorbs the sunlight, warms the ocean and accelerates melting of the ice. These warming waters are changing the range and seasonal cycles of Arctic fisheries. Some fish are moving to deeper, cooler waters.
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