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 >
Shells, Coral, and Ocean Acidification
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