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 >
Our Ocean is Dying
Did you know that there are two garbage patches in the Pacific over twice the size of Texas? Yeah, it's messed up; and they keep on growing. These are formed by what is called the Pacific Trash Vortex. Over many years, according to National Geographic, trash has been collecting in the vortex, but also forms of greenhouse gases and carbon, in forms like oil and gasoline. This is one example of how our oceans are dying from carbon dioxide acidification.
Wow, I knew there was a lot of trash in the ocean, but I didn't know that there was that much. All that trash is really bad for the animals in the ocean and I can't believe that the people on are earth are the ones responsible for that.
It is not only that, humans are messing with the nitrogen cycle in the ocean too. https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/problem