Describe the chemical process of ocean acidification.
CO2 dissolves in seawater, forms carbonic acid (H2CO3), which releases hydrogen ions (H+), lowering pH.
Define Ocean Acidification.
Ongoing decrease in ocean pH, caused by CO2 uptake from the atmosphere.
Define Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3).
A crucial building block for shells and skeletons of many marine organisms.
Define pH.
A measure of how acidic/basic water is. The range goes from 0 - 14, with 7 being neutral. pHs of less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates a base.
Define Pteropods.
Tiny sea snails that are a major food source for many marine animals.
Define Carbonic Acid.
The acid formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water (H2CO3).
Define Hydrogen Ions.
Positively charged ions (H+) that increase the acidity of a solution.
Define Eutrophication.
Excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen.
Define Hypoxic.
Low oxygen conditions.
Explain the relationship between atmospheric CO2 and ocean acidity.
Increased atmospheric CO2 leads to increased CO2 absorption by the ocean, which then increases ocean acidity.
Why is calcium carbonate important for marine organisms?
It's used to build shells, skeletons, and regulate internal pH.
How does ocean acidification affect the marine food web?
It impacts organisms at the base of the food chain, like pteropods, causing ripple effects throughout the ecosystem.
What human activities contribute to ocean acidification?
Burning of fossil fuels and deforestation are major contributors to increased atmospheric CO2.
Explain why a small change in pH has a big impact.
The pH scale is logarithmic; a 0.1 change represents a significant change in acidity.
How does ocean acidification affect fish physiology?
It can disrupt their sense of smell and cause physiological stress.
How do seagrass and algae benefit from increased CO2?
These plants tend to grow more in a CO2-rich environment.
Explain the domino effect of pteropod decline.
The collapse of pteropod populations would have a ripple effect throughout the marine ecosystem because they are a major food source.
What is the predicted future of ocean acidity?
Scientists predict that ocean acidity could increase by over 100% in the next 100 years if CO2 production continues at its current rate.
