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
According to the Smithsonian, ocean acidification is very similar to climate change. Ocean acidification is the consequence of excess carbon dioxide. One-fourth of the carbon dioxide dissolves into the ocean rather than the air. The ocean absorbs around 22 million tons of carbon dioxide every day. At first, many scientists believed that this was a good thing because it reduces pollution into the atmosphere, however, all the carbon dioxide that was being absorbed started to have harmful effects on the ocean. For example, the ocean has become 30% more acidic and this a major problem for wildlife. Shell-building organisms are most impacted by this change. Since these organisms are very sensitive to acidity, ocean acidification impacts them the most. The new acidity significantly slows down shell-building leaving vulnerable to attack. Also, because they have to spend so much energy building a shell, they are too weak to do other critical tasks, such as reproduction. Another organism that has taken hit, are coral reefs. Similarly to the shell building organisms, the new acidity slows down reef-building. However, ocean acidification also damages pre-existing reefs. The acidity starts to corrode the reefs, which results in them being especially weak to erosion. In conclusion, ocean acidification should be taken just as seriously, if not more, as climate change because they are very similar.
Source: https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/inverte … dification