Ocean Acidification Lab Report
Conclusion The chemical changes in ocean acidification is known to be caused by an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, resulting in the lowering of the pH making water more acidic, an increase in dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2), a reduction in the concentration of carbonate ions and an increase in bicarbonate ions. The oceans are currently taking up about one ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) associated with human activities per year. Almost half of the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced in the past 200 years by burning fossil fuels has been absorbed by the oceans. This has already resulted in a change to ocean chemistry, reducing surface seawater pH by about 0.1 units, which corresponds to an increase of about 30%
in the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) (Raven 2005). Unless steps are taken to correct the issue of ocean acidification, we put not only the oceans ecosystem in jeopardy but our own. To protect some of the most diverse places on the planet, coral reefs need to be a major factor in devising a plan to decrease the human acceleration of ocean acidification. If a strong plan is not devised to reduce the human impact we may lose a vital and important food source. As the research conducted by Philip L. Mundaya,1, Danielle L. Dixsona, Mark I. McCormicka, Mark Meekanb, Maud C. O. Ferraric, and Douglas P. Chiversd (2010) shows major juvenile fish populations are being affected by the changes in pH.
Ocean fishing accounts for approximately 80 percent of the world fish catch. The other 20% comes from inland fishing (5%) and aquaculture (15%). One fourth (1/4) to one third (1/3) of the world's ocean fish catch is used to feed animals. Oceans have always been an important and reliable source of food. The overuse of the ocean by humans has led to the decline in population of some commercially caught fish and with a change in pH the result in not looking good for the fish of the sea. Therefore, immediate precautions need to be set in place to prevent fish species from depleting entirely. If none are taken we could be faced with a major issue for our coral reefs, animals and our own health. The effects of the ocean are felt far beyond its own systems.
in the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) (Raven 2005). Unless steps are taken to correct the issue of ocean acidification, we put not only the oceans ecosystem in jeopardy but our own. To protect some of the most diverse places on the planet, coral reefs need to be a major factor in devising a plan to decrease the human acceleration of ocean acidification. If a strong plan is not devised to reduce the human impact we may lose a vital and important food source. As the research conducted by Philip L. Mundaya,1, Danielle L. Dixsona, Mark I. McCormicka, Mark Meekanb, Maud C. O. Ferraric, and Douglas P. Chiversd (2010) shows major juvenile fish populations are being affected by the changes in pH.
Ocean fishing accounts for approximately 80 percent of the world fish catch. The other 20% comes from inland fishing (5%) and aquaculture (15%). One fourth (1/4) to one third (1/3) of the world's ocean fish catch is used to feed animals. Oceans have always been an important and reliable source of food. The overuse of the ocean by humans has led to the decline in population of some commercially caught fish and with a change in pH the result in not looking good for the fish of the sea. Therefore, immediate precautions need to be set in place to prevent fish species from depleting entirely. If none are taken we could be faced with a major issue for our coral reefs, animals and our own health. The effects of the ocean are felt far beyond its own systems.