In what way does ice melt influence ocean properties?

Ice melt significantly impacts ocean properties primarily by reducing salinity. When ice melts, it introduces fresh water into the ocean. Since sea ice is formed from seawater, the process of freezing excludes the salt from the ice, leading to significantly lower salinity levels in the resulting meltwater compared to the surrounding ocean water.

This reduction in salinity can affect ocean circulation patterns, marine ecosystems, and the physical chemistry of seawater. Changes in salinity can influence stratification in the water column, which in turn impacts nutrient dynamics and biological productivity in the ocean. As the fresh meltwater spreads, it creates a layer that can inhibit mixing with deeper, saltier water, affecting the overall ocean environment.

While the other choices mention aspects that could be perceived as related to ice melt, they do not directly result from the melting process itself in the way that salinity reduction does.