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    8 - Ocean Acidification

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    Mansoor Asif
    Ocean acidification occurs as the ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid and lowers the pH of the ocean over time. This added acidity can weaken the shells and skeletons of marine organisms with calcium carbonate structures like corals, mollusks, and some plankton. Changes in these key species disrupt marine food webs and ecosystems. While reducing CO2 emissions would best mitigate acidification, conservation efforts may help protect vulnerable species in the interim.

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    8 - Ocean Acidification

    Uploaded by

    Mansoor Asif
    10 views2 pages
    Ocean acidification occurs as the ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid and lowers the pH of the ocean over time. This added acidity can weaken the shells and skeletons of marine organisms with calcium carbonate structures like corals, mollusks, and some plankton. Changes in these key species disrupt marine food webs and ecosystems. While reducing CO2 emissions would best mitigate acidification, conservation efforts may help protect vulnerable species in the interim.

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    8- Ocean Acidification

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    Ocean acidification occurs as the ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid and lowers the pH of the ocean over time. This added acidity can weaken the shells and skeletons of marine organisms with calcium carbonate structures like corals, mollusks, and some plankton. Changes in these key species disrupt marine food webs and ecosystems. While reducing CO2 emissions would best mitigate acidification, conservation efforts may help protect vulnerable species in the interim.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    10 views2 pages

    8 - Ocean Acidification

    Uploaded by

    Mansoor Asif
    Ocean acidification occurs as the ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid and lowers the pH of the ocean over time. This added acidity can weaken the shells and skeletons of marine organisms with calcium carbonate structures like corals, mollusks, and some plankton. Changes in these key species disrupt marine food webs and ecosystems. While reducing CO2 emissions would best mitigate acidification, conservation efforts may help protect vulnerable species in the interim.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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    Ocean acidification is a process driven by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide

    (CO2) from the atmosphere by the world's oceans. When CO2 dissolves in seawater,
    it reacts with water molecules to form carbonic acid, leading to a decrease in the pH
    of the ocean. This phenomenon has significant and far-reaching consequences for
    marine ecosystems and the organisms that rely on them. Here are key aspects of
    ocean acidification:

    1. Acidification Process:
     CO2 from the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean's surface waters,
    where it reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3).
     Carbonic acid dissociates into bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) and hydrogen
    ions (H+). The increased concentration of hydrogen ions in seawater
    leads to a decrease in pH.
     As pH decreases, the ocean becomes more acidic.
    2. Impact on Marine Life:
     Ocean acidification can have detrimental effects on a wide range of
    marine organisms, particularly those with calcium carbonate shells or
    skeletons, such as corals, mollusks (e.g., oysters, clams, and mussels),
    and some types of plankton.
     Reduced pH makes it more difficult for these organisms to form and
    maintain their calcium carbonate structures, which can weaken shells
    and skeletons.
    3. Ecosystem Disruption:
     Changes in the abundance and distribution of key species can disrupt
    marine food webs and ecosystems.
     Coral reefs, which provide critical habitat for numerous species, are
    particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification and can experience coral
    bleaching and reduced growth.
    4. Economic Impacts:
     Ocean acidification can harm fisheries and aquaculture industries that
    rely on shellfish and other commercially important species.
     Reduced shell growth in species like oysters can lead to decreased
    harvests and economic losses for coastal communities.
    5. Feedback Loops:
     Ocean acidification is closely linked to climate change. As more CO2 is
    emitted into the atmosphere, more is absorbed by the oceans,
    exacerbating acidification.
     Warmer ocean temperatures can further intensify acidification, as
    warmer waters can hold less dissolved CO2.
    6. Impacts on Marine Biodiversity:
     Some species may benefit from ocean acidification, while others will be
    adversely affected. These changes can result in shifts in the
    composition of marine ecosystems.
    7. Mitigation and Adaptation:
     Reducing CO2 emissions from human activities is the most effective
    way to mitigate ocean acidification. This includes transitioning to
    renewable energy sources and reducing fossil fuel consumption.
     Conservation and management efforts can also help protect vulnerable
    marine species and ecosystems

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