How Does Ocean Acidification Affect Ocean Life?

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Recommended: Disruption of carbon cycle ocean acidification

Introduction: The question that the researcher is trying to answer is if there is acidification alters oceanic life due to a change in pH. The hypothesis is if there is a change in pH in the tank then the fish will have altered feeding patterns, stunted growth, and abnormal behavior. Even if there is a slight change in pH distinct abnormalities will occur. This simulation of this experiment will represent a sample for the whole ocean and how pH has affected ocean life due to runoff and toxic waste put into the water.

Methodology: The experimenter used two ten gallon tanks. One tank will be used for the controlled group and the other tank will be used for the experimental group. Each tank will have two pounds of sand spread among the bottom of the tank along with rocks and artificial habitats to add nitrogen to the tanks. To add optimal living conditions for the oceanic life water filtration systems, temperature regulator, circulation systems, and a light to mimic the sun’s rays were added to each tank. At all times both tanks had a temperature of 75 degrees F. This experiment was done over a three month period. The first month was to allow the nitrogen cycle to occur. This allows the fish to be exposed to the water without having stress reactions due to unhealthy living conditions due to the nitrogen. Once the first month was complete six fish was added to both tanks. Two tangs, two damsels, and two clownfish. At first both tanks had a pH level of 8.2, ideal living conditions. After one week the experimental group was exposed to a pH level of 8.6. After two weeks it was raised to 9. Two weeks later it was raised to 9.3. The final raise was done two weeks after making the pH level 9.5. The final week of the experiment the pH lev...

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...: The data shows that if there is minimal or extreme acidification in water then oceanic life will be experiencing severe stress. The findings show that my hypothesis was proven correct. Due to this project being a mini projection of the entire ocean it is clear that if humans continue adding chemicals into the ocean then the acidification will rise putting unwanted stress to the fish.

Evaluation: If this experiment was to be redone then more diverse oceanic life would have to be used playing different roles in the water. The experiment performed showed a small projection of the ocean’s course if pH levels rise but by adding more confounding variables then maybe the outcome may have been different. If another researcher is to replicate this experiment it is optimal if they did several different trials to see if the same result occurs like the one just performed.

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