What is ocean acidification?

What is ocean acidification?

• A. A process that increases seawater's salinity
• B. When seawater absorbs excessive atmospheric carbon dioxide, decreasing its pH
• C. A type of pollution caused by plastics
• D. Enhanced growth of marine life due to increased carbon dioxide levels

Answer: (B)

Ocean acidification refers to the process where seawater absorbs significant amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), leading to a decrease in the pH of the water. As CO2 is absorbed, it reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which lowers the pH, making the ocean more acidic. This phenomenon has critical implications for marine ecosystems, particularly for organisms such as corals and shellfish that rely on carbonate ions to build their calcium carbonate structures. The increased acidity can hinder their ability to grow, reproduce, and maintain their shells or skeletons, ultimately affecting the overall health of marine ecosystems and the services they provide. Understanding this process is vital because it highlights the impact of human activities, like burning fossil fuels, on ocean chemistry and climate change.

Ocean acidification refers to the process where seawater absorbs significant amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), leading to a decrease in the pH of the water. As CO2 is absorbed, it reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which lowers the pH, making the ocean more acidic. This phenomenon has critical implications for marine ecosystems, particularly for organisms such as corals and shellfish that rely on carbonate ions to build their calcium carbonate structures. The increased acidity can hinder their ability to grow, reproduce, and maintain their shells or skeletons, ultimately affecting the overall health of marine ecosystems and the services they provide.

Understanding this process is vital because it highlights the impact of human activities, like burning fossil fuels, on ocean chemistry and climate change.