Research Paper On Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification is negatively affecting our oceans and its marine inhabitants. Ocean acidification is a naturally occurring process where ocean water absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The chemical process of water molecules binding to carbon dioxide creates carbonic acid and frees hydrogen ions causing an increase in acidity. Marine animals can’t survive in water that is too acidic. Marine ecosystems are detrimentally affected by this chemical reaction. The long-term consequences of ocean acidification are expected to affect many ecosystems and what they provide for our earth. To understand ocean acidification and its affects we must understand the significance of the pH scale. The pH scale is a logarithmic measurement of a solutions acidity or alkalinity, one is most acidic and fourteen is most basic. A pH of seven is a neutral solution on the pH scale. An acidic solution has a pH of less than seven, a basic solution has a pH of more than seven. In the 1700’s the oceans pH was estimated to be 8.25, a slightly alkaline or basic solution. By 2000, the oceans pH was measured at 8.14, a 35% increase of hydrogen ion concentration (NOAA). Increase of hydrogen ion concentration increases acidity. Changes in the oceans pH started to …show more content…
The increased acidity in ocean waters makes life more difficult for shell-forming organisms. Clams, oysters, mussels, and corals are among those affected. When the carbon dioxide binds with water molecules to create carbonic acid, the hydrogen ions broken down from carbonic acid bond with carbonate ions to form more bicarbonate. Unfortunately, shell possessing organisms also rely on carbonate ions to create calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is the building block these organisms use to build their shells. This results in weaker shells of shell possessing organisms. The oceans acidity can also result in complete dissolution of shells (Woods Hole Oceanographic