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In addition to the famous impacts of atmospheric carbon on global warming, there is an equally worrisome effect of carbon dioxide on the oceans: ocean acidification (or OA for short). Here at I2SEA we have a series of resources about OA, including Our Acidifying Ocean, which is an introductory activity and virtual lab (note: now mobile compatible!).
A student suggested that we start a conversation topic about OA, and here it is! Have you heard about Ocean Acidification? If so, are you worried about it? How do you think we can best raise awareness about it among your fellow students and the general public? Have you seen particularly good links or films about OA that you would like to share? What are you doing to address the problem?
Ocean Acidification
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Protecting the ocean is essential for life on Earth.Oceans are vital sources of oxygen,food and resources,and their conservation is crucial to our health and the health of global ecosystems.
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Yes, I agree but how do we protect our ocean from acidification? First, we must understand what causes acidification. Ocean acidification is caused because more carbon dioxide is dissolving into the Ocean than ever before. It is natural for CO2 to dissolve into the ocean because the Ocean is a carbon sink. However, because of the industrial revolution and deforestation a surplus amount is being absorbed by the ocean which lowers the ocean's pH levels. The lower the pH levels are the more harmful it is to certain organisms who depend on the Ocean to survive. We must find ways to lower our carbon emissions as a whole to prevent any further extra acidification.
read this article to learn more on this topic:
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/quick-qu … uses-ocean-
acidification.html#:~:text=Ocean%20acidification%20is%20mainly%20caused,being%20absorbed%20by%20the%20ocean.
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I agree, and even little things you can do at home can help protect ocean life. Things such as properly disposing of waste and conserving water are great ways to help even just a small amount. Another great way is to use less energy around the house, ways to do this are using energy efficient appliances and lightbulbs, keeping lights off when your not using them, and trying to limit large appliance usage. Even if these make a small difference if everyone pitches in we can help the bigger picture greatly. Many corporations also help contribute to restoring and conserving ocean life, they do this through many techniques such as rebuilding reefs and salt marshes that guard against storms and flooding, and protecting "Super Reefs" which are reefs which can survive hot temperatures and are used to help grow new generations of coral. We can make a difference by supporting and donating to these corporations which often rely on donations to operate.
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I completely agree; oceans are one of the most important contributors to human life. However, humans have caused great damage to the ocean. So how can we protect the ocean, and keep it healthy? Well, according to National Geographic, there are over 5.25 trillion of plastic in the ocean. This plastic kills sea life and is incredibly damaging to the ocean. To fix this, we can try to limit the plastic we use and correctly sort our trash. For example, instead of buying Ziploc bags, you can buy glass containers, which are reusable and don't cause damage to the environment after you dispose of them. Limiting your use of plastic leads to less plastic being put in the ocean. Similarly, we can also protect our ocean from acidification. Ocean acidification is the decrease in the pH of the ocean caused by too much carbon dioxide. The ocean naturally absorbs CO2, but abounding too much can lead to acidificaction, which harms sea plants and animals. To stop this crisis, we can try to limit our carbon footprint. According to I2SEA, the average human produces 3 791 kgs of CO2 per year, and even more in the United States. To reduce this number, we can drive to avoid driving and can use public transportation, biking, or walking instead. We can also try to invest in renewable energy sources, like solar panels, which use energy from the sun for electricity. This not only reduces your carbon footprint but saves you money. You can also try to eat less meat. Animals produce a lot of greenhouse gases, and not eating meat means not giving money to these companies that exploit and harvest animals.
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What is ocean acidification? Well, for starters, it is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's ocean. This is caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This topic is important to the carbon footprint because it’s caused by all the carbon dioxide. When taking the survey, it gave us numbers that show how much carbon dioxide we produce throughout the things that we do. These things include any type of transportation, what kind of food you eat, how often you use energy in your house depending on if it’s gas or electric, and the things you buy. Bad things could happen to our waters if we don’t make an attempt to prevent ocean acidification. For example, the first thing that affects us is that we won’t be able to swim in the ocean. The second example is that these changes can affect seafood supplies and the ocean's ability to store pollutants, including future carbon emissions. You may ask, “what are some ways that we could prevent this though?” Well, even living in the midwest away from oceans, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions at home, at the office, and on the road can still help with the problem. The carbon dioxide that we as humans release comes from burning fossil fuels. When we do that, it increases the acidity in the ocean allowing carbon dioxide to dissolve. The best things to do in a home that helps decrease the amount fossil fuels being burned include, swapping your furnace for a heat pump (many people in Canada rely on fossil fuels to heat homes), replacing your gas water heater with a heat pump water heater, trading your gas stove for an induction stove, and replacing your gas fireplace with an electric one. You can also use LED lights in the house that helps with the amount of energy being used. More things that people can do include turning off lights, computers, televisions, video games and other electrical equipment when you're not using them, limiting the use of air conditioning, and trying to use more things that take electricity instead of gas, like cars or stoves. These are all easy ways that humans can prevent ocean acidification. The hard thing is trying to get multiple people to go to beaches and pick up all the litter and trash people are throwing and letting dissolve into the ocean and atmosphere. For many years, people have been trying to get others to quit littering, lawmakers have even tried to make it illegal, but that doesn’t stop everyone. Although, the less people emitting fossil fuels, the better. Overall, if more people make an effort to do these things, then the ocean will be thriving again and coral reefs will stop fading in color.
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Ocean acidification refers to the decrease in the pH level of the world's oceans, it is caused by the carbon dioxide from the atmmosphere. When Co2 dissolves in salt water, it forms carbonic acid, when then dissolve into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions, which lowers the pH of the water.
Why is ocean acidification a problem?
First, the lower of the pH level affects the lives of marine animals such as corals, mollusks, and some plankton species especially to build and maintain their shells and skeletons composition which is made out of calcium carbonate. If it is severe enough, it can cause problem in the marine food chain. Second, the coral reef decline. Coral reefs are vulnerable to ocean acidification. As they lose their ability to form and maintain their calcium carbonate structures, they will eventually collapses and die. This will affect the biodiversuty and the habitats supported by the coral reefs. Third, ocean acidification can distrupt the entire marine ecosystem, affecting species diversity and changing the predator prey relationship.
How do we solve ocean acidification?
One way that we can reduce ocean acidification whcih is to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases which means to be conscious of your energy use. Some ways we can do this is to drive less, switch to fluorescent light bulbs, and compost your food waste. To protect the ocean, we must also stabalize the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
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Ocean acidification is something that could ultimately affect us as well, since coral reefs are part of the ecosystem in the ocean. Each year, world trade in fish and fisheries products in 2023 is estimated at 65 million tonnes, which would also make our economy go down. To make the ocean acidification rate go down, we have to cut down our usage of fossil fuel and carbon emissions. To do this, we could take public transportations such as the metro or instead of driving, we could bike to the destination. That way, not only would you save the Earth, you would be exercising as well. The carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could be reduced by the way we live daily.
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What is ocean acidification? It is when the Ph of the ocean is reduced over an extended period of time. Ocean acidification is mainly caused by uptake in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Carbon has been increasing over 200 years due to burning fossil fuels and land use change. The ocean absorbs a lot of carbon from the atmosphere, about 30%. When the carbon levels rise in the atmosphere they also rise in the ocean. When the carbon is absorbed by the seawater a chemical reaction happens causing more hydrogen ions. More hydrogen ions means the seawater will become more acidic but the water being more acidic carbonate ions to be less abundant. Certain fish have the ability to detect predators and when the water is acidic this ability decreases. Effects on other marine organisms are the extra acidity make it harder for things like coral and plankton to create their shell and skeleton. If the organism already has its shell it will begin to dissolve. Some things could benefit from the increased carbon. Some algae and seagrass are one of the ones that benefit from the carbon because it increases their photosynthetic and growth rates. More things the acidity can harm are mollusks, their shells could be very weak or dissolving. The marine organisms also can experience other changes such as abundance, changes in growth, development and survival because of ocean acidification. What can coastal decision makers do? Everyone can try to reduce their greenhouse gas admissions but the best way is to use the adaption approach. The adaption approach is changing things in your daily lives that will help produce less carbon into the atmosphere. What can we do to help? The only thing that will help the ocean acidification is lowering carbon admission. Ocean acidification is a serious thing that effects the environment, animals, etc and by reducing it the marine organisms will be able the develop normally.
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Ocean acidification is a reduction of pH of the ocean over an extended period of time, caused by the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Ocean acidification is not good because this can create conditions that eat away at the minerals used by oysters, clams, lobsters, shrimp, coral reefs, and other marine life to build their shells and skeletons. Not only is this bad for marine life but also human health. This condition can cause harmful algae species to produce more toxins and bloom later in acidified waters. This will only be harmful to humans if this is affected by shellfish or sicken fish consumed by humans. This is not only affecting humans but industries as well. For example, Alaska fisheries are suffering the consequences of ocean acidification. The Great Barrier Reef is being affected as well. There has been a decline of living corals, causing a reduction of habitat for living fish. Now how can we stop this? Helping stop emissions is a way we can help stop this since ocean acidification is caused by an increase of carbon dioxide. By trying to decrease the annual output, for example, cars, we can decrease the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere, helping stop ocean acidification. Sure this might be a slow way of stopping ocean acidification but it will help over time. Along with decreasing the output of carbon dioxide we can also help by protecting and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems. Just planting kelp and seaweed forest allows them to absorb the greenhouse gasses and can help restore the oceans environment. In conclusion, if we want to keep out marine life and ecosystems safe we should take part in helping reduce/stop ocean acidification.
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-107 … %20warming.
https://www.epa.gov/ocean-acidification … 0community.
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Ocean acidification is the reduction of the earth’s PH. This can create conditions that eat away at the minerals used by oysters, clams, lobsters, shrimp, coral reefs, and other marine life to build their shells and skeletons. This causes a human health concern. Although ocean acidification doesn’t make the water dangerous for swimming, it can upset the balance of the multitude of microscopic life found. This can affect the seafood supplies for us humans while also deteriorating the oceans ability to store pollutants like carbon emission. Ocean Acidification reduces the amount of carbonate, a key building block in seawater. This makes it more difficult for marine organisms, such as coral and plankton when trying to form new shells and skeletons. The oceans have absorbed more than 150 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emitted from human activities. Those activities include the burning of fossil fuels, agricultural activities, and deforestation. With the increase in those human activities, slow, long-term changes in the carbon cycle can influence ocean acidity over time. Today, more than a billion people worldwide rely on food from the oceans as their primary source of protein. About 20 percent of the world’s population derives at least one-fifth of its animal intake from fish. Since ocean acidification has a negative effect on marine species. This often alters the marine food chains and food supply to humans. As a way to help ocean acidification, humans can start by reducing carbon dioxide emissions at home, at the office, and on the road. Also another way that we can limit ocean acidification and help improve it is by acting on climate change and watching the amount of fossil fuels we use as a community. If we limit the amount of fossil fuels we use right now we can stop future harm to the oceans as well as future warming. Doing this we can significantly reduce the harm towards our marine ecosystem. Overall, Ocean acidification is something that might not be concerning to all but is definitely something that people to look at and try and solve. It won’t just take one person to try and solve the problem of ocean acidification but a whole community to try and solve an issue like this if we want a better future for our ocean.
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To halt ocean acidification, we must reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable energy sources, preserve coastal ecosystems, and invest in research. Collective efforts are essential to safeguard the ocean's delicate balance and the biodiversity it sustains.
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Yes, I agree that we must reduce carbon emissions to halt ocean acidification (as well as the other solutions you proposed). The ocean absorbs 30% of the carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere, and this CO2 causes the ocean's pH to drop. A lower pH means that the ocean becomes more acidic. This is a huge problem. As many of the ocean's fish depend on specific pH levels to detect predators, a more acidic ocean puts these organisms at risk--and perhaps the entire food web. This butterfly effect puts people at danger as well, especially coastal communities who depend on food from the ocean.
See this article for more: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/aci … atmosphere.
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We have already polluted the ocean too much. We should protect and take care of our ocean. Human beings are spending trillions of dollars for military budgets and also a lot are used for a lot of things that are unnecessary, such as playing golf, drinking beer or burning a cigarette. If we spend more money towards saving the Earth and our precious ocean, we might have a chance of reviving our ocean into a cleaner place for the animals living in the environment.
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I totally agree with you. U think very good keep thinking
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I agree, people have been exploring the space but human have only explore 5 percent of our ocean and they should stop exploring outside the world and start exploring our own planet.
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I also agree, there are too much trashes such as plastics, glasses, and other harmful material that human throw in to the ocean. We should keep researching about the ocean and also care for it to protect our environment.
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I agree as well, there are many factors that are contributing to the negative impact on our planet. The ocean is one of the most important parts of the earth. The oceans hold a lot of life on earth, help regulate our climates, and are even very important carbon sinks. The pollution and poisoning of our waters do more than just kill the wildlife, when the trash and plastics decompose they use oxygen to do so, slowly taking away the oxygen that the ocean produces away from the atmosphere. On top of that it is a vital and important part of the water cycle.
To learn more:
https://www.texasdisposal.com/blog/ocea … 0depletion.
https://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/ … vaporation.
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I think would more people think like u the ocean were already a cleaner place of our Earth
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I'm sure that a lot of our young generation would agree with you, but it's far easier said than done and many people in power right now are selfish, self-centered and don't really care about future generations and their quality of life.
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I think your idea could work in a span of many years because it could be complicated to change the habits of humans that’s been going on for years and some parts of your idea has to do with the government. People would have to convince the government to not fund as much money into the military instead into our acidifying ocean. Some of the things you listed as unnecessary are drinking beer and burning a cigarette. These habits of humans may be a problem to just avert away from since the economy gets some benefits from it because of the money they produce. These companies producing beer and cigarettes also benefit people who are in need of jobs. These obstacles may cause problems to stop the use of money in unnecessary activities. We need to make a big organization or get a large following of people who want the ocean acidification to be taken seriously.
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I agree, a lot of people are irresponsible with their money and spend it on meaningless objects to receive temporary pleasure. Some people even use it for drugs, smoking, and drinking (stuff that causes addiction in general) which is not only bad for the human, but for the environment as well. You can find so much cigarettes butts on the filthy roads which are just polluted with plastic and glass. If we all combined our money and put it to good use, like collecting plastic form the seas, we can all reduce our carbon footprint, save marine life, and cause less pollution.
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I agree, we spend so much money on meaningless things, when we could be spending our money on trying to save our oceans. There is so much junk that gets tossed into our oceans and we should be trying to educate those who dont understand its importance. we need to be putting more money into saving our earth, rather then on things that are a one time use and meaningless.
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Hey! You're so right! The biggest contributors to ocean pollution include runoff from human activities (both coastal and further inland) such as septic tanks, farms, and other big machinery. These examples are called nonpoint source pollution, coming from many different sources and much more frequent compared to its counterpart, point source pollution. Point source pollution is pollution with one origin, such as spills or discharge from oil rigs or other factories. When pollution like this happens, it messes with the quality of the water a lot (pH, acidity, temperature, etc.) and causes habitat loss for many sea animals that live somewhat close to land.
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Ocean acidification is the reduction in the pH of the Earth’s ocean. This process takes place over periods lasting decades or more. Its main cause is the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This, in turn, increases CO2 concentrations in the ocean. Between 23 and 30% of the CO2 that is in the atmosphere dissolves into oceans, rivers and lakes. Acidification is one of several effects of rising CO2 on the ocean. Other chemical changes to the ocean can also cause acidification. As the ocean absorbs CO2, seawater chemistry changes, which changes the living conditions of marine species. Many different species are affected, especially organisms that rely on calcium carbonate shells and skeletons, like mollusks, oysters and corals. Organisms like these struggle to build those parts of their anatomy when ocean waters have increased acidity.
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Yes, this is very true and it's sad that it is happening. Although it is natural for the ocean to absorb the CO2 in the atmosphere, it does take a long time for the process to complete. With human activity increasing the CO2 emissions, it makes it hard for the ocean to keep up with all the carbon dioxide and balance it all out. And yes, marine life is getting heavily affected by the chemical change in the ocean, if the organisms you mentioned are affected then so will their predators and so on. Their habitats are also affected by ocean acidification, especially coral reefs. Many species have fled or many have died due to coral reefs being affected. With this, most regions have lost many species of fish and most of their food.
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Ocean acidification is something that not that many people know about, but it is a very important thing. First of all, when the ocean is more acidic it weakens the shells of shellfish. Like crabs, clams, mussels, and shrimp. The importance of this is that it makes them vulnerable to predators which will stop them from making it too adulthood. Which could lead to extinction. Another important animal that is at risk is corals. Ocean acidity is causing them to get thinner and thinner each day which will eventually make them extinct as well. Lots of coral reefs are dying out rapidly right now imagine how many will be alive by 2050. Scary right.
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Yes, the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has caused the ocean to absorb more carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide and water produce carbonic acid, which releases hydrogen ions. The increase in hydrogen ions decreases the ocean's pH. Our ocean has an average pH of 8.1, but some experts say that the pH could drop down to 7.8 in the 21st century. A large cause of this increase of carbon dioxide is from the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. I agree that ocean acidification will be detrimental to many organisms and if we don't do anything about it, could cause the extinction of these animals. The low pH also degrades the coral reefs, which serve as a home to many organisms. Coral reefs also protect coastal lands from erosion, so it will directly affect communities. The best solution to ocean acidification would be to stop burning fossil fuels! We need to stop producing so much carbon dioxide.
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https://www.nrdc.org/stories/ocean-acid … #solutions
Website for info above
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The coral reefs are disappearing quickly. Coral reefs make up of most of the fish in the oceans habitats. Coral bleaching is destroying the Great Barrier Reef and other small reefs all over the world. The ocean is loosing it’s biodiversity allow with the fish we humans depend on
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I agree, protecting coral reefs is substantial to the environment of ocean life as well as the food chain, not only is the major for ocean life but also humans jobs resources because with out collar reefs there wont be huge attractions for sourest. There will also be less fish for fishing.
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I agree, this topic is not discussed as much but I think is equally important. This is extremely important to ocean life and we need to do something to help preserve coral reefs.
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I agree if all the coral reefs die there will be nothing to slow down the force of waves and that will cause tsunamis. Not wearing sunscreen in to the ocean will help a lot because the sunscreen kills the corals. If the reefs die, a lot of fishes will lose protection and the food chain will be messed up. Protecting the reefs is very important because it will effect everything from land to sea.
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Eu și familia mea ne străduim să nu mai consumam combustibil și energie.Sa folosim biciclete
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Ocean acidification is an important environmental issue caused by increased carbon dioxide absorption in oceans. It’s something we all should worry about because it threatens marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs and shellfish. We need to raise awareness about OA and take action. The documentary “Chasing Coral" might help you understand OA better the effects it has on marine life. We have to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability to protect our oceans.
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I agree greatly, the ocean over the years has taken in a lot of CO2 which has made things such as wild life and reefs become less dense and started to kill them. I think this is a great idea on showing how to help this and is a very important topic. It is much more then just doing the little things everyone on this earth needs to contribute to help our ouceans.
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Agreed living on the coast the effects of the ocean are very important to me. The oceans acidifying is killing off corral and many fish that rely on the reefs. Among killing plants on the ocean floor that kill the bottom feeder sea animals causing the fish population do decrease.
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Ocean acidification, caused by rising CO2 levels, endangers marine life and ecosystems. It harms coral reefs, shellfish, and biodiversity, disrupting fisheries and tourism. This issue also impacts climate change, as less CO2 can be absorbed by the ocean. Solutions include reducing CO2 emissions, creating marine protected areas, and raising public awareness about the problem. Addressing ocean acidification is crucial for protecting our oceans and the diverse ecosystems they sustain.
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I agree with you rising CO2 levels cause ocean acidification. When there is too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, some of it will be taken in by the ocean. This is a problem because the rise of CO2 is lowering the pH level in the ocean. Animals like oysters, scallops, and shellfish need shells to survive in the ocean but cannot form them because ocean acidification breaks down their shells.
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I agree that ocean acidification is caused by CO2 because in the past during the great dying. Tons of CO2 we put out in our atmosphere the ocean took in some of the CO2 and this caused the ocean to become very acidic. Just like in the past we are getting more CO2 in our atmosphere. Our ocean is also becoming more acidic, if it’s anything like the past then most likely the ocean is becoming more acidic because of all of the CO2 in the atmosphere. The ocean becoming more and more acidic is very crucial because the acidity in the ocean can break down shellfish and crustations shells, taking away their protection. Eventually the ocean can become so acidic that it won’t be habitable.
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Ocean acidification is the lowering of the ocean's pH levels. It is caused by carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere dissolving into the ocean. The ocean is becoming acidic because of these lowering pH levels which are leading to the death of coral and other aquatic organisms. This is bad because it will not only affect the oceans, but animals on land will be affected too. A large majority of humans find their main source of protein from sea animals, and many humans will be malnourished without healthy fish and other sea food. We need to stop ignoring problems like ocean acidification just because it isn't affecting you, because it is probably affecting billions of others.
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I feel like algae aren't talked about as much as they should be. They make up roughly 70% of the oxygen in our atmosphere and many marine creatures eat them, they are essential to our survival. Now, algae is battling ocean acidification and balancing out the CO2 in the water. I know algae are capable of handling a lot of CO2 since it's their food, but I feel the need to bring attention to the fact that if there's too much CO2 in the water for algae to balance out, the change in pH from ocean acidification can possibly reduce algal abundance. Do you guys think that algae and its importance should be talked more about, not just because they produce over half of our oxygen but also because they are balancing out ocean acidification? Also, if pollution increases, overgrowth of algae may harm the ecosystem itself. I feel like this needs to be talked about more.
https://ugc.berkeley.edu/background-con … en-levels/
https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstrea … y%20thrive.
https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/e … ecosystems.
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I think we need to raise awareness for this problem because I've never thought about the algae and I know many others haven't either
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Ocean acidification is an increasingly worrying topic. Coral bleaching in particular is concerning, 1 in 4 ocean species rely on coral reefs for habitat. Losing a quarter of the oceans biodiversity would have drastic effects for the remainder of the species in the ocean as well as for humans. Many humans rely on the oceans for food, or they are an integral part of peoples' culture. That brings me to my second point, 1 in 7 people in the world would become extremely malnourished because their main source of protein is sea food. If humans allow ocean acidification to continue the effects will be fatal.
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The ocean needs saving. Seafood is 1 in 7 peoples main source of food. If the seas and sealife gets destroyed, around 1 billion people around the world will lose there main source of food. If we keep polluting the seas we will lose thriving coral reef habitats which gives shelter for 1 in 4 ocean species. We can lower ocean polluting and acidification by lowering carbon emissions. If we lower barbon emissions that enter the sea, the reefs can be healthy and stable again. we can do this by cleanjing up beaches that are littered, we can stay away from plastic and only use it if needed. If we do those 2 things reguarly, we can keep the oceans clean for generations to come.
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Ocean acidification is a serious issue. Coral reefs, where many ocean animals live, are at risk. If we lose these animals, it's bad for all sea life, including us. Lots of people get their food from the oceans, and for many, seafood is their main source of protein. If we don't fix ocean acidification, it's a big problem for sea life and our food. We must work together to protect our oceans.
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I agree, I think that climate change has a big impact on our ocean and the rising sea levels. As when the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere rises, our temperature increases which makes the earth warmer and causes icebergs to melt resulting in sea levels rising. When our sea level rises more land goes into water. Some ways we can reduce CO2 is switching from gas cars to electric cars since gas cars give out CO2.
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Ice is increasing the sea level at an alarming rate. Both the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the US National Climate Assessment say that ice loss was the largest contributor to sea-level rise during the past few decades. They also say that it will continue to be the largest for the next century. The biggest way ice melts is through sea ice, when the ice gets warm it melts and that raises the sea levels. Another way ice melts is through land ice, land ice melts on land and the water travels to the oceans or streams.
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El deshielo y el aumento del nivel del mar son sin duda preocupantes y tienen múltiples efectos en nuestros ecosistemas. Uno de los aspectos impactantes es cómo estos fenómenos pueden influir en los sistemas fluviales alrededor del mundo. Por ejemplo, aunque no es un resultado directo del deshielo, es interesante considerar cómo algunos ríos han sido históricamente alimentados y afectados por los glaciares y otras fuentes de agua dulce. Tomando como referencia el Río Amazonas o el Río Nilo, ambos forman parte de los ríos más largos del mundo y han sido vitales para las comunidades a lo largo de la historia. Si te interesa saber más sobre estos impresionantes sistemas fluviales, este artículo ofrece una visión detallada sobre los ríos más largos del planeta y su significado geográfico y cultural.
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I agree with what you said, but I would like to add on an emphasis on why ice is rapidly melting at such an alarming rate in the first place. As I'm sure you all know, climate change is the result of increased amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which reabsorb the sun's heat when it tries to leave Earth. You may also have known that over the last few decades, specifically the industrial revolution and beyond, greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide has been released into the atmosphere at faster rate than ever. But what you may not have known is but according to Columbia Climate School, only 0.04% of our atmosphere is made up of Carbon Dioxide. Even this small percentage is enough to drastic changes in our temperature and weather patterns, one of which you mentioned, is the melting of ice, and this includes places like Antarctica. As much as increased sea levels is a problem from people and things that live near shores, there are unfortunately, there are other, stronger ways climate change harms our Earth. Not only is sea level rising, but ocean acification, which is the change in pH of sea water, which harms and kills ecosystems. This is resulting in less food and loss of species. I believe that climate change affects everyone's daily lives and their lifestyles, and that the effects of climate change are not all talked about enough.
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Ocean acidification, caused by rising CO2 levels, endangers marine life and ecosystems. It harms coral reefs, shellfish, and biodiversity, disrupting fisheries and tourism. This issue also impacts climate change, as less CO2 can be absorbed by the ocean. Solutions include reducing CO2 emissions, creating marine protected areas, and raising public awareness about the problem. Addressing ocean acidification is crucial for protecting our oceans and the diverse ecosystems they sustain.
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Ocean acidification refers to a reduction in the pH of the ocean over an extended period of time, caused primarily by uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. It is directly connected to our carbon footprints and the increase of the greenhouse effect. Ocean acidification is affecting the entire world’s oceans, including coastal estuaries and waterways. Many economies are dependent on fish and shellfish and people worldwide rely on food from the ocean as their primary source of protein. The ocean provides us with invaluable benefits and services such as Renewable Energy and Food; More than 3.5 billion people depend on the ocean for their primary source of food. Fish supply the greatest percentage of the world’s protein consumed by humans. The most effective way to limit ocean acidification is to act on climate change, implementing solutions to dramatically reduce the use of fossil fuels. This includes working on lowering our personal carbon footprints and being more environmentally aware.
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as the ocean becomes more acidic we are going to lose the shelled creatures. their shells will dicinigrate and they will parish while we keep driving our cars and burning more carbon. but losing these animals will effect us as food chains fall apart and more sea life goes underfed. 1 in 7 people survive of fish, and if fish become small and underfed, much of our population will too. not only that but many people will lose their jobs. the fish indestry is large and important. i think the first people that will see the first major impacts of climate change will be the fish farmers that work with the ocean.
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I agree, ocean acidification has been the cause to mass extinctions in the past and this could very well happen again. Lots of the worlds population rely on fish. The death of our oceans is one of the largest challenges of our generation. People in the fishing industry already are seeing decline in sea life’s health and quantity. For example, in Maine the lobster industry has been suffering greatly because of rising ocean temperatures. If temperature increase continues, 5600 people could lose their jobs.
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I completely agree, as the ocean becomes more acidic it is bound to affect our marine life. And with people being dependent on the amount of marine life just to have a full stomach it can cause many problems for us in the future going forwards. Also I agree with fish farmers being the first affected, as with any other job associated with marine life if the marine life continues to deteriorate it will result in many people to be strpped away from their livlihoods. Yet this is also why this problem must be realized by people around the world, that this is a major consequence coming from climate change.
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The moment the industrial revolution started and our human population began to skyrocket the total amount of CO2 being launch into the atmosphere has increased but also the excessive CO2 have been being absorbed by the our ocean as well. This absorption has caused the pH levels of our ocean to decrease with a 30% more acidity. With this acidity it has affected marine life and marine ecosystems throughout the ocean. Because ocean Acidification is just one of the effects of climate change the solution remains that same we must find ways to reduce carbon emissions. With solutions such as cutting off our use of fossil fuels and replacing our energy with more natural power sources. Another way to solve this problem is to cultivate and allow more coral reefs, sea grass, seaweed, or any other marine plant that can absorb the CO2 to counteract this increased amount being emitted.
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Ever since we began burning fossil fuels for energy, 30% of the carbon dioxide has been absorbed by our oceans. When our seawater absorbs the carbon dioxide it increases the acidity of the ocean. This is very harmful to the sea life, as many fish and marine mammals are very sensitive to changes in pH. Among these are our coral reefs, which already struggle from bleaching caused by temperature change. Because of the dependence of coastal communities on the ocean, if our sea life dies off or becomes endangered, many economies will be at risk. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/aci … o%20a,CO2)
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Ocean acidification happens when there is an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. When this happens, it causes the PH levels of the ocean to drop, meaning that it causes the ocean to be more acidic. What’s more is that ocean acidification causes carbonate ions to decrease, which are used to build shells for many sea creatures. Consequently, this can lead to many organisms to be at risk, and ultimately the food web as a whole. Because of this, all marine life are at risk of extinction if global warming continues. This has great significance because many places rely on the ocean for food. Ocean acidification does not only affect marine life, but us humans as well.
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Ocean Acidification harms marine life including reefs and shellfish. As the ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide, it becomes more acidic, making it difficult for organisms to build and maintain their shells or skeletons. This disrupts the marine food chain and can lead to cascading effects on the entire ecosystem. It's important to address ocean acidification to protect the health of our oceans and those that depend on them. We can do so by reducing the fossil fuels that goes into the ocean, using cleaner sources of energy, and protecting/restoring coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and sea grasses to help absorb carbon dioxide.
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Ocean acidification harms marine ecosystems by eating away at the minerals used by different types of shellfish to build their shells. Ocean acidification also makes it harder for coral reefs to build their skeletons. This is a problem because many different marine animals find food, protection, shelter, and reproduce in coral reefs. Without these habitats, marine life would cease to exist.
Some ways we can slow down ocean acidification are by dramatically decreasing the amount of fossil fuels being burned and acting on climate change. We can act on climate change by reducing the amount of energy being used and cutting the amount of waste.
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Ocean acidification is when the amount of carbonate is reduced in the ocean. Carbonate is a key building block in seawater. Ocean acidification makes it much more difficult for marine organisms, such as coral and some plankton, to form their shells and skeletons, and existing shells may also begin to dissolve. Ocean acidification is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Ocean acidification can alter marine food chains and food supply to humans.
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I really agree with your statement, I think we should protect our ocean by not exploiting them and not hunting almost extinct animals. We don't need to use unnecessary stuffs in our daily life, such as plastics, or anything that might harm our ocean. I really hope that we could help the ocean by spending more money on protecting the ocean. And I really that hope we could succeed in doing so.
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I completely agree because ocean acidification is a horrific event that needs to be stopped before it continues to harm our beloved ocean and the creatures that live in it. Since the start of the industrial revolution ocean acidity has already increased by 30 percent! This number will continue to climb rapidly and is estimated to double by the end of this century. It is so sad that our beautiful ocean’s coral reefs are being affected by our careless actions. As CO2 enters the ocean it gets mixed with seawater and something called carbonic acid is produced. This rise in acidification as more carbon enters the oceans interferes with coral forming its skeleton. They cannot form them as quickly as they used to, causing them to disappear. Entire coral reef ecosystems could be destroyed in the next 20 to 30 years. Not only do coral reefs house millions of species that would be negatively affected by this. It would also throw off the food chain that feeds us and leave us without the protection of our coral reefs against storm surges. The results of these events would affect over 400 million people. The only way that we can stop this is if we stop releasing excess amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. But dont worry! There are some ways to help save our oceans such as smarter traveling choices, choosing sustainable seafood, and putting a limit on our plastic use. For more ideas to help: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/help-our-ocean.html
For more information on ocean acidification:
https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/theacidtest/welcome.html
https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/oceanasalab_oceanacid/
https://www.awi.de/en/focus/ocean-acidi … ation.html
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Ocean acidification also makes the Earth hotter. Affecting the severity of hurricanes and other storms since heat makes more water evaporate then the water in sky is also heated up intensifying them even more.
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I agree with you that green house gases don't affect just the animals and the people on land but also the ones sea.Our actions are affecting the marine creatures at sea destroying their habitats food and life forms. We also dump in lakes rivers etc we can put up laws for dumping into the body of waters affecting the live forms that live in them.
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Ocean Acidification is a matter worth worrying about because people around the world are relying on food from the ocean as it's their source of protein and it negatively affects wildlife. From the ocean acidification, shellfish develop a bone disease from the low amount of minerals that make it hard for them to survive. Ocean acidification also cause animals like lobsters, shrimps and coral reefs to suffer with developing their shells because it creates conditions where minerals cannot survive. Since people eat sea animals their health could be threatened because the ocean acidification contaminates and sickens sea animals.
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I've been wondering about this question because all I knew about ocean acidification before is that it has to do with less pH of the ocean over time, caused by more carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Here's what I found based on my research:
Ocean acidification has the potential to impact human health and well-being in a number of ways, such as reducing food security. Ocean acidification harms marine ecosystems and reduces the abundance of seafood, leading to higher prices and reduced access to seafood, particularly for people in developing countries who rely heavily on seafood for protein. Another thing is the increased risk of food poisoning as ocean acidification can make some harmful algal species more toxic, increasing the risk of food poisoning from eating contaminated seafood. Ocean acidification can release toxins from marine sediments, which could pollute the air and cause respiratory problems for people living near coastal areas. Reduced availability of medicines is another result of ocean acidification as many marine organisms produce compounds that are used in the development of medicines. Ocean acidification could threaten the survival of these organisms, reducing medicine availability.
Learn more:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/12/4563
In addition to the above impacts, ocean acidification could also have indirect impacts on human health and well-being through its effects on the economy and social systems. For example, ocean acidification could lead to job losses in the fishing and tourism industries, which could have a negative impact on the health and well-being of people in these industries and their communities. Overall, the impacts of ocean acidification on human health and well-being are significant so it is important to take action to address ocean acidification and mitigate its impacts, in order to protect the health and well-being of people around the world. What do you think about this?
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Since the Industrial Revolution, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been increasing dramatically. The ocean absorbs about 30% of these emissions, which leads to ocean acidification, the worldwide reduction in the oceans pH levels, causing the ocean to become more acidic. This makes it so that lots of underwater life such as coral, shellfish, and plankton, which are all very important to the underwater ecosystem, can't thrive. Coral reefs serve as a home for many underwater creatures. If coral can't grow, lots of creatures will lose their homes. This impacts humans too. Many people and other animals, especially in coastal regions, rely on shellfish as a source of food. A decline in the amount of shellfish will cause a lack of food for other species. This can also impact economies around the world as many of them rely on fish and other seafood as a source of income.
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A way to spread awareness as well as see how the acidification of oceans in action is by conducting the following experiment. The materials you will need are water, a kind of acidic substance (lemon juice, baking soda, etc.), some jars, and some kind of shell of a sea creature (oyster shell, clam shell, etc.), make sure no animal is inside! In different the different jars place the shell inside the jar and add water, in different jars you can change the pH level of the water by adding your chosen substance. In the jars with higher pH, the shells will become thinner, reflecting how the high pH levels in our oceans affect the sea life.
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Ocean acidification is a grave environmental issue caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide (CO2) by the world's oceans, resulting in a decrease in the pH levels of seawater. This phenomenon has far-reaching consequences for marine ecosystems, as outlined in a study published in the journal "Nature" in 2015. The research indicates that rising acidity disrupts the growth and reproduction of many marine species, particularly those with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, such as corals, mollusks, and some plankton species. As the oceans become more acidic, it becomes increasingly challenging for these organisms to maintain their vital structures, threatening the entire marine food web. Ocean acidification also has broader implications for global fisheries and economies, as it poses risks to the livelihoods of millions who rely on the oceans for sustenance and income. Tackling this issue is essential not only for the preservation of marine biodiversity but also for the well-being of societies dependent on healthy oceans.
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We, as humans, release carbon dioxide into the air by burning fossil fuels. Now, most people just assume that all of that carbon dioxide goes into the air and the atmosphere; but that is not the case. Although, yes, some of the carbon dioxide does go into the air and the atmosphere, the other part of it is absorbed into plants and the ocean.
The definition of Ocean Acidification is, “the process in which seawater becomes more acidic because of the excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.” The pH, acid, level of the ocean nowadays is 7.8. The pH level of the ocean used to be and is usually 8.1. The higher the pH level, the less acidic. The higher, the more acidic. The acidity of the ocean is an incredibly big problem. The carbon dioxide causes there to be a decrease of an essential resource; carbonate. It helps make the shells of shellfish. With seawater being so acidic, and the increase of that acidity, it could dissolve those shells. It also causes coral reefs to decrease on top of the bioerosion that already happens because of the species that live in those coral reefs. This is bad for us because, not only will it put people out of jobs, it will cause one of human’s major source of food to be reduced. Basically, much less or no more seafood.
The solution to this crises is to stop burning fossil fuels and transfer into using clean energy. Another solution is to separate the shellfish from the carbon dioxide before it can reach them.
Source: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/ocean-acid … ow#what-is
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We, as humans, release carbon dioxide into the air by burning fossil fuels. Now, most people just assume that all of that carbon dioxide goes into the air and the atmosphere; but that is not the case. Although, yes, some of the carbon dioxide does go into the air and the atmosphere, the other part of it is absorbed into plants and the ocean.
The definition of Ocean Acidification is, “the process in which seawater becomes more acidic because of the excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.” The pH, acid, level of the ocean nowadays is 7.8. The pH level of the ocean used to be and is usually 8.1. The higher the pH level, the less acidic. The higher, the more acidic. The acidity of the ocean is an incredibly big problem. The carbon dioxide causes there to be a decrease of an essential resource; carbonate. It helps make the shells of shellfish. With seawater being so acidic, and the increase of that acidity, it could dissolve those shells. It also causes coral reefs to decrease on top of the bio-erosion that already happens because of the species that live in those coral reefs. This is bad for us because, not only will it put people out of jobs, it will cause one of human’s major source of food to be reduced. Basically, much less or no more seafood.
The solution to this crises is to stop burning fossil fuels and transfer into using clean energy. Another solution is to separate the shellfish from the carbon dioxide before it can reach them.
Source: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/ocean-acid … ow#what-is
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Improved Fisheries can decrease fuel usage of fishing to 68.59–95.93 million metric tons by 2050. Also, fishing at the maximum sustainable yield (the maximum level a natural resource can be consistently used without depletion) and letting fish populations regrow could be applied on 6–8 million metric tons of fish brought on shore by 2050. This reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.01–1.54 gigatons by 2050. Many fisheries release carbon because of fishing vessel fuel, reduced fish carbon storage, and reduced carbon storage in ocean floor, which gets disturbed by bottom trawls. It’s estimated that the global CO2 emissions from main engine fuel in marine fisheries range from 130 - 207 million metric tons annually. Actions such as purchasing sustainable seafood or working to change government policies that promote overfishing/inefficient use of fishing boats.
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Macroalgae forests are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth. Protecting and restoring these habitats could enhance carbon sequestration in the deep sea. Macroalgae can store up to 0.17 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. This exceeds the carbon buried in coastal angiosperm environments, such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass beds (0.11–0.13 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year). Macroalgae forests are broadly distributed throughout the global ocean, especially in temperate subtidal ecosystems. Globally, the area covered by macroalgae is decreasing 1.8 percent annually due to a combination of factors related to anthropogenic activity and climate warming. Actions such as protecting predators, minimizing harvest, and reducing eutrophication due to runoff can improve macroalgae forests’ resistance and resilience to climate change.
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The ocean is the biggest carbon sink. Oceans have absorbed at least 90 percent of the excess heat generated by recent climate changes. Water temperatures, marine heat waves, and sea levels are rising. Increased carbon dioxide makes the ocean more acidic because carbon diffuses into water. However, this makes it more difficult for shellfish to build shells and for coral to build their skeletons.
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Our ocean has experienced a loss of ph in its waters over time, due to ocean acidification. We can blame the loss of ph in the waters mostly on the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. There is more carbon in our atmosphere than there was 70 years ago because of our way of life. Humans use a lot of things that have a large carbon admission. These include traveling in planes and buying things from big factories. There are little things you can do to stop your carbon footprint from being so large, such as using less plastic, walking places, solar panels etc. Ocean acidification is an issue for our oceanic eco systems because it makes it harder for marine animals to live their normal lives and survive. Our carbon admissions have a large impact on many things around us, this is an example that many people wouldn't think about. It's important to make sure that you are doing your best to be mindful of your carbon emissions.
work cited:
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/aci … atmosphere.
https://coastadapt.com.au/ocean-acidifi … 20dissolve.
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Ocean acidification is a process that refers to the ongoing decrease in the pH levels of the Earth's oceans. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ocean acidification is caused by the rise in (CO2)into the atmosphere, which dissolves in seawater and forms carbonic acid. This process can lead to the acidification of the ocean, which can have negative impacts on marine life. Such as shellfish to build and maintain their shells and skeletons or coral bleaching. Additionally, ocean acidification can disrupt the food web and alter marine ecosystems, leading to potentially significant economic and environmental consequences.
source
depts.washington.edu
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With the ocean's acidification levels rising are there long-term effects we can see that we could reverse? According to Smithsonian's ocean research articles, the main source of CO2 in the ocean is coming from gas particles in the air produced by motor vehicles and factories. Over the last 200 years, carbon dioxide levels have risen 30 percent when measured by scientists. The excess acid in the water causes the decomposition of shells, reefs, and even fish living in this ecosystem. If enough carbon dioxide gets into the ocean we will be seeing irreversible changes to our environment, and the food we get from the ocean.
https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/inverte … dification
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Ocean Acidification refers to the change in pH in the ocean, caused by the absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is made up of mainly fossil fuels, and the ocean absorbs about 30% percent of all that gets released. While the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases, that also means that the carbon dioxide in the ocean increases which causes lots of sea life to be killed, especially calcifying organisms (shells, oysters, corals), and animals like fish. The large amounts of CO2 being imported into our oceans make it very hard for animals to form their shells because of the increased amount of acidity which slows the calcium carbonate organisms down, causing a lack of growth. Carbon dioxide absorbs in the water, which makes it more acidic. The acidity of the oceans has grown 26% since 1850, which is a rate change of 10 times faster that anything else seen in the last 55 million years, which are prime examples of how large the impact of ocean acidification is. The major effects of this will not only harm the sea life, but it can also lead up to affecting fisheries, and much more. Throughout many different types of research, it has been found that ocean acidification will have an influence on ocean ecosystems changing in the near future. Some very important things we need to do to stop this from happening are reducing our carbon footprint and reducing ocean pollution.
Sources: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/acidification.html , https://coastadapt.com.au/ocean-acidifi … ts-effects
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Ocean acidification is a pressing concern rising among marine scientists and environmentalists worldwide. Ocean acidification is a process in which the pH of seawater decreases, making it more acidic and harmful to the marine life that relies on it. This phenomenon is mainly due to the increase of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere which are absorbed by the ocean. This causes chemical reactions that lower the pH. The problem is heightened by the ocean's limited capacity to absorb CO2, and as emissions continue to rise, the ocean is becoming more and more acidic. The impact ocean acidification has on marine ecosystems is significant. It affects the ability of marine creatures to form skeletons and shells, and can also affect the behavior and physiology of fish and other marine animals, which makes them more vulnerable to diseases and predators. In addition, ocean acidification can have ripple effects throughout entire ecosystems, like loss of biodiversity and the decline of important habitats, like coral reefs. The problem of ocean acidification is a massive, worldwide problem that needs a massive, worldwide response. Efforts are already being made to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through international agreements like the Paris Agreement, although more needs to be done to address the root cause of ocean acidification and to alleviate its effects on aquatic ecosystems. This can include but is not limited to (mainly) reducing carbon emissions, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and investing in research to better understand the impacts of ocean acidification on marine life. By taking action now, we can help preserve the health and diversity of our oceans for generations to come.
Sources: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/aci … atmosphere.
https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/inverte … dification
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/ocean-acid … -need-know
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Ocean acidification is when the ocean has a reduction of pH over a period which is caused by an intake of co2 from the atmosphere. Ocean acidification affects all of the world's oceans and their sea life, even smaller bodies of water like estuaries and waterways. Ocean acidification reduces the amount of carbonate which is a very important part of seawater. With the reduced about of carbonates in the water, it makes it harder for marine animals to form their shells. For example, animals such as mollusks, corals, and some plankton. The shells and even skeletons of these animals become less and less strong and dense. Coral reefs even become weaker and more susceptible to damage from storms which causes them to have a slower recovery time.
https://coastadapt.com.au/ocean-acidifi … 20dissolve.
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/acidification.html
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The ocean's acidity is rapidly rising with the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in our atmosphere. What exactly does this mean you may ask? This means that the pH level or acidity is rising, therefore creating an unsafe and unhealthy environment for marine life; this causes an imbalance in our ecosystem. The pH level has gone down from 8.2 to 8.1. This may not seem like a huge difference right now, but it has already had big impacts and is estimated to increase at a much faster pace. The ocean is like a big pot of water, it is constantly absorbing excess CO₂ from the atmosphere. When it absorbs this, due to water having a high heat retention and the fact that CO₂ is a greenhouse gas, the water acidity and heat level rise. A quote from the website I researched on states: "Ocean acidity has increased about 25% from preindustrial times to the early 21st century, a pace faster than any known in Earth's geologic past". Due to human industries, oceans have absorbed more than 150 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide over the past 200 years. Some ways we can work together to keep our oceans healthy are to reduce our carbon footprints, re-use items, and buy less plastic.
Sources:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/ … %20concern.
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Ocean acidification is a topic most don’t know about when it comes to Global Warming, which for the most part, is pretty significant. A good portion of carbon dioxide is absorbed into the ocean. Even though this kind of helps our atmosphere, it is unsuitable for our oceans. The increasing amounts of CO2 in our oceans lead to ocean acidification—the act of the PH of our ocean-going up. Ocean acidification can particularly lead to reefs and shells being unable to form or disintegrate. Ocean acidification has become a severe issue since the oceans increased absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere. As a result, the pH of the water drops, endangering the sort of nearby wildlife and vegetation severely. By making a few easy changes, we can help stop ocean acidification, which is quite significant for all intents and purposes. The amount of carbon in the atmosphere can help be reduced in the first place, which is quite substantial. This generally calls for using less energy and chemicals while also helping to encourage the use of eco-friendly energy sources in a significant way. We can also help by protecting marine life and trying our best not to overfish considerably. We might mostly be able to help our ocean with these steps, or so they thought.
Additionally, it's critical to help lessen ocean pollution and plastic trash because these things could hurt marine life in a preeminent way. Finally, to further improve our oceans' health, we can also help support organizations/groups that help work towards ocean conservation and educate ourselves and others on sustainable routines. By taking these actions, we can ensure a relatively healthier future for our oceans and the diverse species that essentially call them home in a subtle way.
(sources: https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource … dification ,https://www.whoi.edu/know-your-ocean/ocean-topics/how-the-ocean-works/ocean-chemistry/ocean-acidification/ )
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To perpetuate the life cycle, oxygen, and carbon dioxide must balance to allow all organisms to thrive. But what if there was too much of one? When humans burn fossil fuels or cause deforestation it changes the amount of carbon dioxide to be absorbed by the ocean. The ocean is known as a 'carbon sink', which means it absorbs a lot of carbon. When excess carbon dioxide is in the air, the ocean has to absorb much more carbon dioxide than it was meant to. This absorption of carbon causes a series of chemical reactions, known as ocean acidification. Water and carbon dioxide combine to form carbonic acid. This raises the pH of the ocean, causing massive stress and imbalance in the ecosystem. The acid chips away at the shells of many creatures such as the 'pteropod', which is a major part of many food webs. This means that because of ocean acidification, many food webs have been disrupted. Besides marine animals, another organism has been heavily affected by ocean acidification: coral. Coral and another organism, zooxanthellae (a type of algae), work together in a symbiotic relationship. Coral gives the zooxanthellae a place to be protected from predators, and the zooxanthellae help the coral get food. However, when ocean acidification occurs, the zooxanthellae leave the coral to find a better environment. The zooxanthellae is what provides color to the coral, so when it leaves, the coral turns white which is where the term 'coral bleaching' comes from. Eventually, without the zooxanthellae, the coral turns white, then dies. In conclusion, ocean acidification is affecting marine life in many ways. In order to preserve our marine life, we need to work towards becoming more carbon negative and reducing our carbon emissions immediately.
Sources:https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/quantifying-ocean-carbon-sink
https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/corals/climatethreat.html
https://www.noaa.gov/ocean-acidificatio … ters-ahead
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education … ellae.html
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Ocean acidification is a process in which the acidity of the oceans are rising due to an increase of carbon dioxide in the water. This carbon dioxide combines with H2O and creates H2CO, which then splits into HCO and H+. This increase in H+ causes the acidity levels to rise. The reason this is detrimental to sea life is because this increase in acidity causes an decrease in carbonate ions, which are an important building block for sea shells and coral skeletons. This decrease in carbonate ions makes it more difficult for animals that create calcium carbonate structures to create and maintain these structures, and the increase in CO2 results in more corrosive water that wears down their shells quicker. Another negative consequence of increased acidity is that some fish's ability to detect predators is decreased in acidic waters, which could not only have an impact on their population, but also on the food web itself.
Sources: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/aci … atmosphere.
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Ocean Acidification is one of the lesser-known side effects of climate change and the output of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, yet is just as threatening to our earth as many other effects. Ocean Acidification refers to the reduction of pH levels in the oceans caused by an excess of carbon dioxide in the air, causing the ocean to become more acidic. Oceanic Acidification is not given justice for the imminent threat and side effects it will bring, and we must work together to find solutions for this pressing issue. Every day, almost 30% of released carbon dioxide in the air is absorbed by the ocean, which adds to millions of tons daily. The carbon dioxide in the water causes a chemical reaction with the water, resulting in an uptake in the acidity levels or a lowering of the pH levels. These higher pH levels can result in harm to many marine creatures but are very harmful to coral reefs. Coral reefs are the base of many oceanic ecosystems and are integral to aquatic life. Coral reefs grow by building a carbon-based skeleton, and when the acidity level is too high they cannot build their skeletons, resulting in smaller coral reefs. When our coral reefs are smaller, there is less marine life due to the many species that rely on the shelter of coral reefs. Oceanic pollution also results in the bleaching of coral and more coral diseases like stony coral tissue loss disease(SCTLD). When you combine the higher rate of death of our coral reefs with the slowed growth rate, it is not impossible to imagine the rapid descent of the reefs of the world. Without the reefs, we would see a significant decrease in all marine life, especially those species that normally rely on the reefs. Coral is a keystone species, and without it, there is no telling the damage it would do to our ecosystems everywhere, all due to the pollution and fossil fuels that are burned every day.
sources: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/aci … atmosphere.
https://www.coris.noaa.gov/activities/m … ral_decay/
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Ocean contain 228,450 known species, the polution of ocean can cause major problem to the habitat and food chain.
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Coral bleaching is a process where coral reefs lose their color due to stress caused by environmental factors such as rising ocean temperatures. Climate change, specifically the increase in ocean temperatures, is the primary cause of coral bleaching. When the water is too warm, the symbiotic algae that live within the coral are expelled, leaving the coral weakened and vulnerable to disease. Coral reefs are vital to the health of the ocean, as they support an incredible variety of marine life. The loss of coral reefs due to bleaching can have devastating impacts on marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them. The frequency and severity of coral bleaching events have been increasing, with the Great Barrier Reef experiencing its worst-ever bleaching event in 2016. To combat coral bleaching, it is essential to address the root cause of climate change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting and restoring coral ecosystems.
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I found this interesting because I spend summers on a small island in Adriatic sea called Zlarin - it's known of red corals. I already knew that they are protected species and that Croatia regulates fishing, but your text made me read more about this. I found that even though they are protected, some people can still take them out (but they need to have licences for that), and they also make jewelry out of it. So, not only sea temperature is endangering them but also people, as usual unfortunately. All of these causes are a real problem, because corals are one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth, as we know.
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I personally think coral bleaching a major problem that can be prevented. As mentioned above, climate change plays a huge role in why corals are bleaching. Corals are extremely important because many oceanic life call them home. Corals are also a great sight to see when scuba diving. Pollution, climate change, and mankind destruction are all causes for this unfortunate event. I really hope people can realize the major problem they're creating and we should all work towards improving it.
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Ocean acidification has become a major issue and has begun to put our planet in grave peril. When the ocean's carbonate content decreases, this occurs. Seawater's primary building block is carbonate. Ocean acidification makes it considerably harder for marine animals to produce their shells and skeletons, such as coral and some plankton, and preexisting shells may also start to erode. Carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere have grown, which has led to ocean acidification. Ocean acidification has begun to have an impact on our marine food webs and has grown to be a significant problem for coral reefs. This has an impact on coral reefs because it decreases the pace at which they produce calcium carbonate, which in turn slows the development of coral skeletons. The coral reef is extremely beneficial to our world since it safeguards coasts from storms and erosion, provides employment for local residents, and gives recreational opportunities.
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I personally agree with your statement. The people don't know how damaging the carbon dioxide can be and how much damage it can bring to flora and fauna of the ocean. We need to take action if we want to save the marine life.
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I am concerned about ocean acidification because I am an animal lover and want the best for these creatures. Oysters are not the only animals that suffer from ocean acidification. All kinds of animals, from small crabs to whales. It also lowers the pH and makes it more acidic, which is not good for marine animals as their skin and shell become softer and less able to protect themselves from predators.This changes the entire food chain. We also depend on these animals for food and this is difficult for some to change. Also, you will not be able to have extinct sea pets.
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I agree with your point that ocean acidification can detrimentally effect the animals that reside inside the waters, though this is accurate, humans are also in grave danger. As you mentioned, humans rely heavily on the ocean as there food source, believe it or not, 3.5 billion humans across the globe depend on the ocean as there primary food source. In just 200 years, our oceans have became 30% more acid then before, if this continues, a collapse of the food chain is imminent in our future. It is important to look at our past to grasp the severity of the issue we are fighting today. 251 million years ago, our planet experienced its largest mass extinction, the great dying. 96% of all marine species, and 70 of terrestrial species were killed off. The leading cause of this mass extinction stemmed from the introduction of large quantities of CO2 into our environment, subsequently causing detrimental ocean acidification and loss of almost all life on the earth. Evidently, we are currently living through a period of time which is mimicking the causes of this horrific event through human intervention. Action has to be taken before the we are engulfed by the earths 6 mass extinction.
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I am worried about ocean acidification. I believe over time it will destroy our oceans and make some animals go extinct. It will also affect the food chain and create an imbalance in everything because if those species go extinct the animals that feeds on those animals will no longer have food and decrease that species as well. It would be a very big problem.
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English:
hi my name is stella and I origanate from Germany and am currently in a school in USA. I am worried about our ocean.Ocean acidification is a change in the properties of ocean water that can be harmful for plants and animals. Scientists have observed that the ocean is becoming more acidic as its water absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Water is needed to live but is something very dangerous. Have you ever been scuba diving or something like that? If yes the you see how pretty the ocean is. Our ocean is dying though. All the animals are endagered and their is so much trash everywhere in the ocean. This problem also makes global warming worse by hindering the oceans' ability to absorb CO2. Also think of all the animals that are dying. Some examples of animals that are dying are corals, crabs, oysters and urchins. Ocean acidifacation is a danger for all marine species.
German:
Hallo, mein Name ist Stella, ich komme aus Deutschland und besuche derzeit eine Schule in den USA. Ich mache mir Sorgen um unsere Ozeane. Die Ozeanversauerung ist eine Veränderung der Eigenschaften des Ozeanwassers, die für Pflanzen und Tiere schädlich sein kann. Wissenschaftler haben beobachtet, dass der Ozean saurer wird, da sein Wasser Kohlendioxid aus der Atmosphäre aufnimmt. Wasser ist zum Leben notwendig, aber etwas sehr Gefährliches. Warst du schon mal tauchen oder so? Wenn ja, sehen Sie, wie schön das Meer ist. Unser Ozean stirbt jedoch. Alle Tiere sind vom Aussterben bedroht und es gibt so viel Müll überall im Ozean. Dieses Problem verschlimmert auch die globale Erwärmung, indem es die Fähigkeit der Ozeane behindert, CO2 zu absorbieren. Denken Sie auch an all die Tiere, die sterben. Einige Beispiele für sterbende Tiere sind Korallen, Krabben, Austern und Seeigel. Die Ozeanversauerung ist eine Gefahr für alle marinen Arten.
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Very true, I agree. I liked how you did talked about this in two languages. Well done.
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Hello, I am a student in maine who has been raised around water my whole life. My family has a plot of land with a house on a very very small rural island in Abaco Bahamas. My Dad was raised there and his love for the ocean has rubbed off on me. Some of my earliest memories of the ocean are from here. I go snorkeling and scuba diving and admire the beautiful fish and coral. My Dad has said that when he was a kid all the coral was more vibrant.
As I previously said I live in maine; my Mom grew up here also on the water. I spend all the seasons except winter sailing admiring the water it means a lot to me. I also have a lot of concern around it.
Unfortunately Island was hit directly by hurricane Dorian and the people of the island are still greatly affected to this day the economy is torn because so many residents moved away and sadly his childhood home was left in ruins. I’d say that the scale of hurricane Dorian was 100% a result of climate change.
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Good morning, my name is Violet and I am also a student from Maine. I come from a family of lobstermen and women, and have been on the water since I was six weeks old. I have also seen the affects of climate change on our oceans. The lobsters are migrating north, for it is too warm here to survive, as are seals, and with them, sharks follow. Consequently, there has been an increase in Great White Shark sightings in Maine, to the surprise and horror of our locals. Additionally, I do not see the diversity of creatures that my grandparents spoke of when they were young, for many species have died out or migrated. All of these events are due to warming oceans and climate change. We need to create policies to prevent global warming, ocean pollution, and to protect our native creatures. We need to save the sea, for it is our home.
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I am very worried about ocean acidification. Ocean acidification kills fish, clams and plants. If the ocean gets more acidic everything is going to die. The ocean pH is 8.1. This is still slightly basic but it is getting more acidic. According to the website food52 if the ocean keeps getting more acidic at this rate we will have no more clams in 50 years. You can help make the ocean less acidic by donating money to organizations like ocean hero or The Nature Conservancy or burning less fossil fuels.
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I completely agree with you, if we can just get the ocean's pH down to 7.1-ish,even then our ocean will be much more healthy
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8.1 is alkaline. 7.1 would be even worse, since it would be more acidic
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The ocean is especially key to keeping our planet very safe and healthy. I believe that ocean protection could be one of the worlds best opportunity's to slow the rate of co2 emissions and stop ocean acidification. I live on the coast of maine, so seafood and boating are our biggest industries. The problem of ocean acidification is very important to me, because it could kill my town. All sea life needs this, which is huge for the whole world. We need to protect them, to also protect us against climate change. I also like the idea of donating, but there are things personally you can do too, like pick up trash on beaches, carpool and fly less.
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1. Conserve Water
Use less water so excess runoff and wastewater will not flow into the ocean.
2. Reduce Pollutants
Choose nontoxic chemicals and dispose of herbicides, pesticides, and cleaning products properly.
3. Reduce Waste
Cut down on what you throw away.
Around Town
4. Shop Wisely
Choose sustainable seafood. Buy less plastic and bring a reusable bag.
5. Reduce Vehicle Pollution
Use fuel efficient vehicles, carpool or ride a bike.
6. Use Less Energy
Choose energy efficient light bulbs and don't overset your thermostat.
On the Water
7. Fish Responsibly
Follow "catch and release" practices and keep more fish alive.
8. Practice Safe Boating
Anchor in sandy areas far from coral and sea grasses. Adhere to "no wake" zones.
9. Respect Habitat
Healthy habitat and survival go hand in hand. Treat with care.
10. Anytime, Anywhere
Volunteer
Volunteer for cleanups at the beach and in your community. You can get involved in protecting your watershed too!
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I really like that you showed me how to help and not just state the problem. Now i know what exactly I can do to reduce my carbon footprint!
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Exactly what ODwhitby said! I really like how you say how you solve, instead of just saying the issue and making you unsure how to solve
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Thank you for listing those! People can actually come on here and see that there are solutions the world just has to take action and not just here about how its a problem listing no solutions.
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I doubt I can tell anything new about ecology. So I'll just leave my thoughts here.
Maybe we should stop mindlessly pollute water? I know that making sewage treatment plants isn't cheap at all, but they absolutely should be at every large indusrial factory. Besides pollution does cost a lot more to clean, so why not?
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I agree. I think this is a good idea and we need to come up with more larger scale ideas like this.
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Yeah, I agree too. Sharing ideas like this would make this world better
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I agree, this is a great iidea, and a little goes a long way
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I haven’t thought about before, but that sounds like really good idea. I don’t think a lot people give one thought about how sewage treatment plants could be polute the water, making people aware about this pollution could help big industries lower their carbon footprint.
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I live on a paradise island which is Tahiti in French Polynesia but human actions are disrupting our oceans in depth. Everyone has heard of global warming and rising sea levels. but another much lesser-known threat began 40 years ago to change the chemistry of all the oceans : acidification. We must do something to protect our islands before the loss of these.
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I'm totally agree with you. I'm an islander too and I think ocean acidification is a real problem for us and for the world too
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Yes. It is frightening that we see so many environmental disaster on the web and yet most of us don't realize our impact on the environment, our consequences. It is as if we were oblivious of this issue. It is so nice to see people care.
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I'm with you on this point!! Because it is important to preserve our beautiful islands. As a matter of fact, we must act now by eating local products and by stopping buying products from other countries!
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I agree with you too because of all new technologies, we pollute the environment. So we must protect our beautiful island.
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I agree with you too because we need to protect our ocean. This problem impact more people and we need to react.
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That is horrible! This is why we have to act now about ocean pollution
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We should really protect our oceans
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Yeah, that for a fact. If we don’t act now, it’s our home and islands that are going to desapear.
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The best way to raise awareness to the public is to take action. If people see you working against ocean acidification, they are more likely to help out. If your friend asks you to volunteer with them to help the oceans, you’re probably going to say yes. Even if you don’t want to help, saying no would make you seem like you didn’t care about the environment. Ocean acidification is happening because the ocean is absorbing about half of the co2 produced by humans, and is struggling to adjust. The best way to stop this is to try to limit the amount of co2 you contribute. You can do this by limiting your carbon emissions or offsetting your carbon footprint. Offsetting your carbon footprint can be done by supporting organizations that fight global warming.
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Right now the earth is being killed but us humans its important that we stop this at all costs because the outcome could be catastrophic to humans and all living organisms on earth but your in luck because there are a couple things we can do to cut down ocean acidification for one we can invest into energy efficient appliances also we can make changes to our lifestyles, such as using public transport instead of driving but there are some outcomes that are terrible such as decrease in the pH of the water, making it more acidic. This has a negative effect on marine life, as it can make it harder for organisms to form shells and skeletons, and can lead to the death of coral reefs.
In conclusion we can do alot to fix ocean acidification and we really should work at the stuff thats in my paragraph and please read it all thanks RTwhitby
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I am very worried about ocean acidification. Ocean acidification kills fish, clams and plants. If the ocean gets more acidic everything is going to die. The ocean pH is 8.1. This is still slightly basic but it is getting more acidic. According to the website food52 if the ocean keeps getting more acidic at this rate we will have no more clams in 50 years. You can help make the ocean less acidic by donating money to organizations like ocean hero or The Nature Conservancy or burning less fossil fuels.
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Ocean acidification is the reduction in the pH of the Earth’s ocean. Its main cause is the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Ocean acidification is sometimes called "osteoporosis of the sea", because it can create conditions that eat away at the minerals used by oysters, clams, lobsters, shrimps, coral reef, and other marine life to build their shells and skeletons. One way to prevent ocean acidification is by reducing your carbon footprint, meaning being conscious of your energy consumption. Some ways you can do this is by driving less, switching to fluorescent light bulbs, staying away from plastic, composting your food waste and eating locally. All of these examples release less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which means less CO2 in the ocean.
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More people need to be aware of Ocean Acidification. It's occurring due to the same problem and yet the media only talks about climate change. This could heavily affect everyone around the world. Ocean acidification will lead to the extinction of many aquatic species and might destroy come economies that rely on fishing/boating to make a living. This problem deserves the same attention.
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I completely agree with what was said here, I just wanted to add to the connection between carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with CO2 in the ocean. The ocean absorbs CO2 because the CO2 dissolves in the ocean.
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Ocean acidification is a huge problem in todays world. We are burning so much fossil fuel and creating so much carbon dioxide and so much of that is going into our ocean. This raises the acidity of the ocean causing marine life to be difficult. Many animals with shells will slowly start to dissolve making them smaller and smaller in each generation. This will create a problem for larger predators to find food and eventually a problem for about 1 in 7 of the humans on this plant that rely on sea food as the main part of their diet. The raising acidity in the oceans will also start to kill coral, shelter from predators for so many sea creatures.
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I agree, and I think we can all reduce our carbon footprint by a bit. so we shoud ACT NOW
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I found a really good video that explains ocean acidification in a fun way that helps kids understand ocean acidification well. It is by CBS and is part of an entire show called “Hot Mess” which makes different videos about the effects of global warming and I really recommend it.