Ocean Acidification

Question 1

What is happening to ocean now?

Answer 1

Becoming slightly less alkaline

Since 1750 the pH of oceans surface dropped by 0.1

Question 2

What is ocean acidification all about?

Answer 2

Ocean dissolved 30% of co2 which is released into atmosphere.
As co2 dissolved into ocean it creates carbonic acid.
Less alkaline.

Question 3

Why is ocean acidification an issue ?

Answer 3

As it reduced carbonate ions in ocean which plankton use for protective shells. Meaning they have to expend more energy to create shells.
Shells become thin/ fragile

500 million people also rely on coral reefs for food/ projection against tropical storms

Oyster mass death in 2007 USA