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 >
Absorbing Our Waste
Ocean Acidification is a very real and scary repercussion that is caused by human activity. Do you know that the ocean is a greenhouse sink? This means that the ocean absorbs the greenhouse gases that are in the atmosphere. "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration" states that the ocean absorbs 30% of carbon dioxide and while the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere goes up so do the levels of the greenhouse gases in the ocean. Because the ocean is absorbing so much carbon dioxide, the pH level is decreasing immensely. Thus, it is acidifying the ocean and the water is becoming extremely warm. Another database known as "Teach Ocean Science" reports that the coral reefs (home for fish) in the ocean are being "bleached" because the zooxanthellae on the coral leaves if the temperature is too hot. The coral depends on the zooxanthellae for food and when it leaves the coral becomes weaker. As you can see it is time to make a change - life in the oceans are dying and with the corals dying this can only become a domino effect and soon other life will die in the o ceans as well.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-
http://www.noaa.gov/resource-collection … dification
Teach Ocean Science-
http://www.teachoceanscience.net/teachi … ral_reefs/