Ocean Acidification Research Paper

Ocean acidification is the continuous reduction of the ocean’s pH, carbonate ion concentration, and saturation states of biological calcium carbonate minerals. Ocean acidification is caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. According to “Ocean Acidification: The
Other CO2 Problem,” after the industrial revolution, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere has increased nearly 40%, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation (Doney S. 2009). The increase of carbon dioxide is dangerous because an estimated
30%- 40% of atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolves into the ocean, lakes and rivers ( Feely.
2004). Thus if the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration increases, so does the concentration of carbon
When carbon dioxide ( CO2) reacts with water ( H20), carbonic acid ( H2CO3) is formed. Carbonic acid, then releases Hydrogen ions (H+), which bonds with other molecules in the surrounding area. Specifically, some of these hydrogen ions (H+) combine with carbonate ions ( CO3-2) and Bicarbonate (HCO3) ions are formed. Thus ocean acidification decreases carbonate ions; This causes a problem for marine ecosystems, because carbonate ions are essential factor to marine life. The acidity of seawater is determined by the amount of hydrogen ions in solution , which is then measured on the pH scale. The higher the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, the lower the pH of the solution. As stated in the previous paragraph, carbonic acid ( CO3-2) releases hydrogen ions ( H+) into the solution. If the sea water absorbs more carbon dioxide and then more carbonic acid will be formed as well. Which means the ocean will releases large quantities of hydrogen ions. Thus lowering the pH of the ocean. “ Ocean acidification: A greater threat than climate change or Overfishing,” reports that since the industrial revolution the pH of the ocean has dropped from 8.2 to 8.1. This change in the pH of water over the past 150 years is the greatest seen over the past several million years. ( Burner W. 2008
Also, there are certain species such as photosynthetic algae and sea-grass that could potentially benefit from the increase of carbon dioxide; Since, carbon dioxide is mandatory for the survival of this species just like it is for plants on land . None the less, an excessive amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the ocean changes the chemistry and affects marine ecosystems. Many researchers have studied ways in which the effects of ocean acidification could be decreased or stopped. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stated that if carbon dioxide emissions continue to increase, the ocean acidity could rise up to 150% by 2100. We can decrease emissions by burning less fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil; These fossil fuels are used as energy for different means of transportation and are also used to generate electricity, and to carry out different industrial processes. Therefore, it would be best to explore other transportation alternatives such as walking, jogging, biking and electrical vehicles. Also, it's recommended to replace the incandescent bulbs with CFLs (compact fluorescent lights). CFLs require less energy than the traditional incandescent bulbs, it also gives the same intensity of