Ocean acidification

Research Proposal Ocean pH Levels and Shellfish Survivability Josh Lewis Abstract: Ocean acidification is a growing issue that is causing young shellfish to die, which is hurting marine ecosystems. Research has been done on the topics involved (pH levels, effects of ocean acidification on shellfish, etc.) many times, and though it’s a slow moving issue, it is evident. As I stated, this is an extremely important topic to know about because thriving marine ecosystems are being damaged. As…

ice being less apparent in colder countries. The effects of climate change are prominent on the outside, however, what many people fail to realize is that it affects the ocean too, temperatures are rising and not only that but the ocean chemistry is changing as well due to increased amounts of carbon dioxide dissolving into the ocean. This leads to several complications in the coral reef ecosystems. The coral reef ecosystem is a variety of different species that interact with each other and the…

into the atmosphere (2). The absorption of carbon dioxide by our oceans is leading to chemical changes to the oceans. The most notable is ocean acidity levels increasing from 8.1 to 8.2 (WHAT) (?). While an increase of .1 might not sound like a big deal, it is because reef development is expected to cease at 7.8 according to David Wachenfeld, director of reef recovery at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Ocean acidification is commonly the most significant impact of a changing…

Chasing Corals Essay Chasing Coral is a 1 hour 33 minutes documentary directed by Jeff Orlowski following a group of photographers and scientists as they attempt to capture the processes of coral bleaching. The plan is put together by Richard Vevers, a reef surveyor after he himself observes the effects of bleaching on a reef he recently surveyed. After teaming up with Trevor Mendelow, Zachary Rago, and other scientists, they plan to rig time lapse cameras in areas of reef, although Nature has…

of the marine wildlife. One of the things that can help reduce the rate and effect of emission is to lower the amount to greenhouse gases in the air. Coral reefs are at the heart of the sea. They are a critical to some of species that live in the ocean. They use the coral to find sources of food and shelter which in return supports the commercial fishing used to feed people all around the world. They also are a natural border that breaks down storm surges that could happen at any time. Coral…

Effects of a Toxic Ocean Earth has gone through various changes in climate over the span of its existence. These changes are natural and healthy for the environment. Recently, however, there has been a fluctuation in climate, not caused by the inner workings of the earth. Humans have created many different substances that provide many uses such as packaging and a lightweight, cheap building material. An example of this is plastic; it is a very useful tool, but it has its downfalls. Plastic…

frequent extreme weather Another aspect proving climate change’s existence is the increase in ocean acidification. Increased carbon dioxide in the air is causing rapid ocean acidification to occur. Ocean acidification is when carbon dioxide is absorbed by seawater and reduces the seawater’s pH level and since the industrial revolution, the acidity of surface ocean waters has increased by 30%. Ocean acidification is dangerous because in more acidic waters, calcium carbonate is more difficult to…

Coral reefs provide shelter and food for more than 1 million plant and animal species, which is nearly one quarter of all known marine species. This number includes over 4,000 species of fish, 700 species of coral, and thousands of other plant and animal forms of life (Cesar, et al.). A single coral reef at its prime contains tens of thousands of species, housing some of the most dense and diverse communities of vertebrate animals in the world. Unfortunately, with the destruction that they face,…

bacteria that once posed no threat may now jeopardize the sea stars’ health. This can be a highly probable cause. According to a research study conducted at Oregon State University, researcher Elizabeth Cherney confirmed that sea stars exposed to ocean water in museums were vulnerable to the disease (Hewson, 2014). In addition, sea stars that were exposed to the same quality of water were not in any way, shape, or form impaired when the water had been exposed to ultraviolet light, consequently…

Ocean acidification does however, have behavioral effects on sharks that could amplify shark interaction with humans. A recent study published on September 17, 2014 by scientists Leon Green and Fredrick Jutfelt explored the direct effects of oceanic acidification on sharks. Researchers exposed sharks to a month of acidic water and discovered a shift in the sharks’ swimming patterns…