What impact does water's high specific heat have on marine climates?

Water's high specific heat means that it can absorb a significant amount of heat without experiencing a large change in temperature. This property has a profound impact on marine climates, as it helps to moderate temperatures both in the ocean and in surrounding coastal areas.

In coastal regions, water's ability to store heat allows it to release warmth slowly during cooler months and absorb heat during warmer months. As a result, areas near the ocean experience milder temperatures compared to inland regions. This moderation leads to less extreme temperature fluctuations, creating a more stable climate that is generally more conducive to diverse ecosystems.

The other choices do not reflect the primary impact of water's high specific heat. For instance, it does not cause extreme temperature changes; rather, it prevents them. Additionally, while ocean salinity and evaporation rates can be affected by other factors, they are not directly influenced by the specific heat of water in the same way that temperature moderation is. Therefore, the property of water's high specific heat is crucial for understanding how marine environments influence climate stability.