Ocean acidification a the process in which anthropogenic carbon dioxide is dissolved in the ocean to a point where it creates a dilute solution of carbonic acid. Although, dilute the solution does cause the ocean to become more acidic. The ocean is referred to as a “carbon sink” because almost a third of manmade carbon carbon dioxide has been dissolved in the ocean. The carbonic acid decomposes and creates a hydrogen ion and a bicarbonate ion. The bicarbonate ion in the case of corals impedes the process of calcification. Calcification is the process in which corals release calcium carbonate. Corals are basically large deposits of solid calcium carbonate that are a result of calcification. Carbonic acid in the ocean causes calcium carbonate deposits to dissolve and produce an two bicarbonate ions which impedes calcification for small algaes and planktons. Ocean acidification is not only a problem that needs to be dealt with, but can theoretically be reversed.
The average pH of the ocean before ocean acidification was prevalent was around 8.2. However, today the ocean’s pH is at about 8.1 which is an increase in acidity of 30% (Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory). Simply adding a base would most likely work, but would be economically improbable. The amount of base that would have to add would be more than that of the dissolved carbon dioxide. It is an unethical solution, but it is also a very promising solution to the problem. The only problem with adding a base to the ocean is that the creatures of the ocean might not be able to adapt to the newly added chemicals. Adding a base might find a solution to the problem of increasing acidification, but it might also cause other problems.
A weak base that is recommended by most a...
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CNN World. "Oceans failing the acid test, U.N. says." CNN World [UK] 2 Dec. 2010, 1 ed., sec. 1: 1. CNN World. Print. 6 Sept. 2013.
Hofmann, Laurie C., Sandra Straub, and Kai Bischof. "Elevated CO2 Levels Affect the Activity of Nitrate Reductase and Carbonic Anhydrase in the Calcifying Rhodophyte Corallina Officinalis." Journal of Experimental Botany Advance Access Published January 10, 2013. Bremen Marine Ecology Centre for Research and Education, 10 Jan. 2013. Print. 4 Nov. 2013.
Hebert, Paul D. N. "Pacific Ocean." Pacific Ocean. University of Delaware, 12 Dec. 2008. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
Hebert, Paul D. N. "Atlantic Ocean." Atlantic Ocean. Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, 29 Mar. 2010. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory. "A Primer on PH." A Primer on PH. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 01 Oct. 2008. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.
...oceans. Anthropogenic systems such as the combustion of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution have greatly increased the rate of acidification to levels where negative impacts ensue. Negative impacts occur both to marine organisms that rely on certain water conditions to maintain vital functions and the environment which is damaged by highly acidic waters. There is great variation in the acidity of each of the oceans, differences caused by the chemical composition of the ocean and biogeography. Understanding of the potential impacts of ocean acidification is relatively new to the scientific community and therefore little is known on how to counteract anthropogenic influences. Although reducing the amount of carbon dioxide produced will in turn reduce the lowering of the oceans acidity levels and reduce negative impacts on the environment and marine organisms.
Garrison, Tom. "Chapter 12: Coasts." Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science. 7th ed. Cengage Learning, 2010. 319+. Print.
With carbon dioxide levels continuing to rise over the past few decades (fig. 1) and now into the future, concern has been brought to what is happening to the carbonate chemistry of the oceans. Because of these changes in chemistry, the ocean is becoming more acidic. Along with climate change, ocean acidification may be one of the greatest threats to our planet. The higher the ocean’s acidity level goes, the lower the calcium carbonate levels will drop. Even though this is a big scale issue, my goal is to focus on and underline what these changes will mean for the marine life that depend on the calcium carbonate in seawater. I will go in depth with specific regards to a study regarding pteropods or sea butterflies.
The ocean has always absorbed CO2 from the air. An article presented in Nature August 2012 enlightens that about half of all CO2 generated by human is absorbed by the ocean. This chemical reaction is occurring naturally and the rate at which carbon is being absorbed, the concentration of carbonic acid is increasing. This has overwhelming concerns, particularly for shelled creatures. Animals such as corals, crabs, and calms need calcium carbonate to build their shells. Calcium Carbonate is dissolved by carbonic acid and consequently these animals are incapable of maintaining casings of calcium. Bio geosciences in 2010, suggested that carbon confiscation by oceans and land is lessening, which has the potential to further worsen the impact of carbon emissions.
is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere
Cousteau, J. Y. 1985. The Ocean World. Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, NY, pp. 174-175.
Ocean Pollution is a serious issue in today's global politics. The delicate balance of Earth's ecosystem is put in jeopardy when the ocean is not clean. Problem evolving from ocean pollution directly harm marine life and indirectly affect human health and the Earth's many valuable resources. Ocean Pollution is a Broad term that encpompasses any and all foregin matter that directly or indirectly makes its way into the ocean. This includes everything from the extreme: oil spills, Toxic Waste dumping and industrial dumping-- to the small scael: human activities and basic carelessness. Because the oceans and all other water bodies are invariably, somehow connected, and because they account for 3/4 of the Earth's surface, they are an ideal method of transportation for pollution, allowing the rapid spread of seemingly far away toxins into a river near you! It is increasingly important that we educate ourselves as to what, exactly, ocean pollution is, so that we can identify the causes at their source and take action in small and large ways, and hopefully, prevent this terrible form of pollution from getting any worse than it is today.
At the Aquarium of the Pacific, many different oceanic habitats are presented. These exhibits give the public an idea of the different environments our own oceans hold, providing a hands-on learning experience in the comfort of their own city. The two habitats that interested me are the coral reef and deep ocean. Both the coral reef and deep ocean are very different from each other, having varied ways of survival for the plethora of plants and animals that call those places home.
In “Chapter 6 – The Sea Around Us” of Elizabeth Kolbert’s The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, the author reveals the fact that the ocean is acidifying due to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. In this chapter, Kolbert notes that there was a lack of biodiversity near the vents at Castello Aragonese in order to present the oceans’ future possibility. One of the types of sea creatures that ocean acidification would devastate are the calcifiers, which are organisms that create shells or skeletons made of calcium carbonate (Kolbert 117-122). Credible sources of information, such as the EPA and the Smithsonian Institution, agree that ocean acidification poses a serious threat to marine calcifiers,
The coral reefs of the world are of vast importance because they host 25% of all marine life on the planet. Now that corals have been briefly described, we can see why the effects of climate change damage coral reef systems. Ocean acidification is a result of climate change. Acidification is caused by an increase in carbon dioxide in our oceans and leads to a decrease in the pH levels of seawater. This pH decrease reduces the ability of corals to make their hard skeletons.
"Oceans." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2014. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 8 May 2014.
McLendon, Russell. “What is the Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch?” Mother Nature Network. N.p., 24 Feb. 2010. Web. 23 Apr. 2010.
Oceans are such so vast that people underestimate the impact their actions —seeming so insignificant— have on them. Humans have by and large taken the oceans for granted; not considering how important a healthy ocean is to our survival. A popular mind-set is that the oceans are a bottomless supply of fish, natural resources, and an infinite waste dump. There are myriad reasons why the oceans should be saved and the most obvious one is marine life. With 71% of the Earth being covered by water, it is obvious that sea creatures are predominant form of life, making up 80% of the species of life on Earth. However, as important as marine life is, that is not the only reason why saving the oceans is crucial. The ocean floor provides natural resources such as, oil, natural gas, petroleum, minerals, medications, and ingredients for foods and products. The economic benefits of the oceans are huge and significant, as well. Fishing and fish products have provided employment to 38 million people and have generated about $124 billion in economic benefits. However, oceans are on the verge of crisis, marine life, natural resources, transportation, the economy, and important ingredients are at risk due to overfishing, pollution, and acidification. Thus, in this essay I will argue that, oceans are not impervious to human activity and threatening the health of the ocean threatens the health of humanity, since oceans key to our survival.
Toufexis Anastasia, Andrea Dorfman, Eugene Linden, and Edwin M. Reingold. "The Dirty Seas Threatened by Rising Pollution, the Oceans Are Sending out an SOS." Time 132.5 (1988): 1-8. MasterFILE Complete. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.
Bowermaster, Jon. Oceans: The Threats to Our Seas and What You Can Do to Turn the Tide: A Participant Media Guide. New York: PublicAffairs, 2010. Print.