Title
The Effects of Global Warming on the Oceans Marine Life
Research
Ocean acidification has occurred slowly since the industrial revolution, as mankind began to add excess amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. CO2, one of the greenhouse gases produced in excess, was absorbed by the ocean, and the effects of this gas are devastating to marine life and their ecosystems. The CO2 produces carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of saltwater, and this in turn creates a harmful environment for many calcifying species. These species, such as oysters and clams, can not survive in the acidic environment, which affects the food chain and the overall marine ecosystem. Ocean acidification also affects corals ability to produce their carbonate skeletons, and it is projected that as the amount of CO2 in the oceans increase, many coral reefs may be gone by the turn of the century. …show more content…
Miles Lamar of the University of Otago in New Zealand performed an experiment where he observed the larva of a species of sea urchin in both normal and acidic water in order to see if their development was in any way hindered. In order to do this, he found several underwater vents that naturally acidify certain parts of the ocean off the coast of Papua New Guinea. These vents served as the acidified water for a small amount of freshly hatched sea urchins. Dr. Lamar then found a second non-acidified place to put some of the sea urchins to act as a control. He observed that those who developed in the acidic water grew slower than normal and were more likely to have deformities than those in normal pH
The Effects of Global Warming on the Oceans Marine Life
Research
Ocean acidification has occurred slowly since the industrial revolution, as mankind began to add excess amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. CO2, one of the greenhouse gases produced in excess, was absorbed by the ocean, and the effects of this gas are devastating to marine life and their ecosystems. The CO2 produces carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of saltwater, and this in turn creates a harmful environment for many calcifying species. These species, such as oysters and clams, can not survive in the acidic environment, which affects the food chain and the overall marine ecosystem. Ocean acidification also affects corals ability to produce their carbonate skeletons, and it is projected that as the amount of CO2 in the oceans increase, many coral reefs may be gone by the turn of the century. …show more content…
Miles Lamar of the University of Otago in New Zealand performed an experiment where he observed the larva of a species of sea urchin in both normal and acidic water in order to see if their development was in any way hindered. In order to do this, he found several underwater vents that naturally acidify certain parts of the ocean off the coast of Papua New Guinea. These vents served as the acidified water for a small amount of freshly hatched sea urchins. Dr. Lamar then found a second non-acidified place to put some of the sea urchins to act as a control. He observed that those who developed in the acidic water grew slower than normal and were more likely to have deformities than those in normal pH