Ocean Acidification

The Other Carbon Dioxide Problem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fundamental changes in seawater chemistry are occurring throughout the world's oceans. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) from humankind's industrial and agricultural activities has increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. The ocean absorbs about a quarter of the CO2 we release into the atmosphere every year, so as atmospheric CO2 levels increase, so do the levels in the ocean. Initially, many scientists focused on the benefits of the ocean removing this greenhouse gas from the atmosphere.  However, decades of ocean observations now show that there is also a downside — the CO2 absorbed by the ocean is changing the chemistry of the seawater, a process called OCEAN ACIDIFICATION.  

The 50 to 70% of the air we breath and the number 1 source of protein for a billion people all require a  healthy ocean ecosystem.

 

Additional great articles on the subject:

Grist - Quick, go visit the ocean one last time before it dies!

 

Demystifying ocean acidification and biodiversity impacts

 

Acidic Oceans: Why Should We Care? - Perspectives on Ocean Science

University of California Television (UCTV) Scripps Marine

The ocean absorbs almost half of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activities, changing its chemistry in ways that may have significant effects on marine ecosystems. Join Scripps marine chemist Andrew Dickson as he explains what we know -- and what we don't -- about this emerging problem.