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 >
Ocean Acidification
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.