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
Ocean acidification is all the trash thrown and pollution is taken to the Ocean and animals in the ocean are eating it and then ocean acidification is happening.
actually, it's a bit more than that. Ocean acidification is mostly caused by co2 going into the ocean and causing a chemical reaction, creating a new chemical called carbonic acid. This acid mixes into the sea water and lowers the pH level of the ocean, causing it to become more acidic. This impacts many things in the ocean, such as corals, pteropods, any seashell creatures, crabs, and many others. All of these creatures build hard shells using calcium carbonate, but if the oceans are more acidic, it makes them spend more energy on building their shells, instead of using that energy to find food or reproduce. These creatures being affected also affects everything that eats them, and so on and so on.