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 >
Problems that Occur with Ocean Acidification
I have been aware about the threat of Ocean acidification against all sea life. It's a very big problem that many people aren't aware of. Ocean acidification is when the acidity of the ocean water gets to a point where it is difficult to sustain life. This occurs from high amounts of CO2 pollution into the atmosphere. Acidification is starting to put many different species at risk by causing mutations and death. The best way to provide exposure for this problem is by showing people what the effect is on sea life. I would think that most people admire and enjoy sea life so by showing that the sea life is dying through videos or pictures so that they would want to take action.
Sources:
https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/Wha … ication%3F
I agree with you on your opinion on acidifications because so many pollutants are being released into the atmosphere, so it is harming sea life.
I personally couldn't agree more. Co2 in the ocean is causing one third of marine life to die and prevents reproduction of some. Co2 also affects the coral reefs, a big part of the ocean life. The acidic ocean breaks down the basic structure of coral causing it to crumble. This isn't just a problem for Marine life, but also for us. So many humans live on the ocean, and on a day to day basis their diets are practically containing all seafood. If the oceans spread and become more Acidic, it will kill more wild life causing those people to starve, and creating conflicts and disturbance on the earth.
At this point in time there is so much CO2 and acid that it is irriversable
Adding on to Co2 affecting oceans, marine life is also affected by the oceans absorbing Co2 from the atmosphere. As the levels of Co2 are rising organisms will not be able to adapt to the acidic oceans. The acidification process is too far to be countered so it’s basically irreversible. Even though chemicals could be added to the sea to counter the acidification the process would take tens of thousands of years to return to its pre-industrial condition according to National Geographic: The Acid Sea article.
Acidification interferes with reproduction in some species from the energy expended in balancing the acidity, according to “Acid In The Oceans: A Growing Threat To Sea Life” by Richard Harris. The question is, “Is it even possible to lower enough Co2 emission to prevent the endangerment of marine life?” Marine life affected by Co2 is a pretty big deal because the food from the ocean will be decreasing as Co2 levels are rising and the delayed reproduction of species are in the food chain. As of now, the acidic ocean is a problem because it can affect humans. The acidi fication is basically irreversible so the best humans can do is to lower Co2 emissions to decrease the amount of Co2 being absorbed into the Oceans.
I agree with what you are saying about how marine life is affected by the amount of carbon dioxide in the ocean and atmosphere. The animals that are impacted the most are corals, oysters, lobsters, and crabs. These animals are so heavily impacted because the increase of carbon dioxide in the ocean reduces the number of carbonate ions. These animals need carbonate ions to help create their shells. The shortage will affect their population because reproducing and surviving will become harder. What can we do as humans to help stop or slow ocean acidification? Is it our job to fix what we started?
SOURCES:
http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_r … facts.html
I totally agree with you on this! Ocean acidification is a big thing and I think that it is super important for people to know about it and what they are putting into their bodies when it comes to eating the marine life that is being harmed by the acidification levels rising.