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 >
Where Does the Carbon Dioxide Released Into the air go?
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