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 >
Carbonic Acid and pH levels
I read an article from National Geographic about ocean acidification, in the article, it defined ocean acidification and described the effects. The article started off by telling me about the pH levels in the ocean. I learned that the average pH level in the ocean was 8.2, so slightly basic, for the past 300 million years. Now, the pH level is 8.1 and the acidity in the ocean is growing. By the end of the century, the pH level should drop an additional 0.5 units. The pH levels are dropping are because of the carbon dioxide in the ocean. The ocean absorbs about one-third of all human-created carbon dioxide, which is around 22 million tons a day. The carbon dioxide in the water turns into carbonic acid, which lowers the pH level as well as refrains shellfish from maintaining a healthy shell. Once the carbonic acid affects the shellfish, the entire ocean ecosystem has been offset. With the raising carbonic acid, the entire ocean is in danger.