Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 9
Marine Mammals in a
Changing World
Cappozzo, Humberto Luis,
1,2,
* Panebianco María
Victoria
1,3,a
and
Juan Ignacio Túnez
4
Introduction
Planet Earth is the most unusual one among the known planets since 71%
of its surface is covered by oceans full of life. Life originated and diversifi ed
in the oceans along millions of years. At present, the oceans are largely
responsible for sustaining planet life and in regulating the climate (IUCN
2009, Hoegh-Guldberg and Bruno 2010).
Climate change is thoroughly accepted as a global concern (IPCC
2007). Rising atmospheric gas concentrations have increased global average
temperatures by approximately 0.2°C per decade over the past 30 years
