Ocean Acidification And Ocean Acidification

Introduction

The Greenhouse Effect is an important natural occurrence. The sun emits radiation onto the Earth’s surface. The earth releases this energy in the form of infra-red radiation, which Greenhouse Gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide temporarily trap in their chemical bonds. The radiation trapped in these gases warm the Earth’s surface and keeps the atmosphere warmer than it would otherwise be. This is a necessary process to maintain a suitable temperature to sustain life. However; it is believed that human activity has led to the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect. Recent research suggests that increased carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has led to increased ocean acidification.

The Issue

Increased human activity such

The more acidic conditions affect many of the sea creatures in various ways. Calcification, the process which results in the formation of calcium carbonate structures in marine organisms is interrupted by ocean acidification. Ocean acidification shifts the equilibrium of carbonate chemistry in seawater, decreasing the rate and amount of calcification among a wide range of marine organisms, meaning their skeletons will not be formed properly. This can cause the organisms to become weak and decrease their chances of survival. Extinction of certain species is a real threat as past research has shown extinction rates dramatically increase as atmospheric carbon dioxide levels increase. Slower growing shells and skeletons can have an impact on the food webs of marine life, therefore threatening even well-established species. Important metabolic processes, such as respiration in fish, may also be impaired by the acidity, as lowering the pH reduces the efficiency of oxygen exchange in their gills. Many marine organisms also act as a carbon storehouse, so as the oceans continue to absorb more carbon dioxide these organisms are less likely to be able to do this effectively, increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and ocean acidity further. The full effects of ocean acidification are not yet fully known but most scientists believe marine life will have trouble

The increasing level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes more carbon dioxide to dissolve in the ocean producing carbonic acid and leading to increased ocean acidity. This is predicted to have a range of negative consequences for marine ecosystems such as coral reefs and can have further knock on effects on other marine life as well as reducing the capacity of the ocean as a carbon storehouse. While there are still some skeptics who don’t believe in the enhanced greenhouse effect and its consequences, most don’t have any evidence to support their arguments. It is a pretty safe bet to say ocean acidification is a result of the enhanced greenhouse effect and unless something is done to reduce carbon emissions ocean acidity will continue to