Ocean Acidification Research Paper
Have you ever been in the ocean before? Have you ever felt it burning your skin? Ocean acidification is becoming a great problem in our world. Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease of the oceans pH levels due to lots of CO₂ entering the water from our atmosphere. 30-40% of the carbon dioxide from human activity released into the atmosphere goes into lakes, rivers, and oceans. This is causing the ocean to become more acidic. The ocean's acidity has increased by around 30% since the industrial revolution. This affects all of the oceans. Specifically the Arctic, Antarctic, Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic ocean. In this report will explain what is causing this issue, some effects, and some solutions.
This issue is occurring because of fossil …show more content…
Here are some caused by ocean acidification. First there are the coral. Coral make calcium shells or skeletons. These are negatively impacted by the increased CO₂ and lowered pH. With this issue the reefs are having great difficulties making their skeletons. This is limiting the protective barriers for the fish. Another animal impacted by the acidification are the shellfish. The acidification has impacted the reproduction of oysters. The lower pH levels are resulting in unsaturated aragonite which is preventing the oysters from reproducing normally. Fish are another animal affected by this issue. The lower pH levels is affecting the water that the fish absorb into their bodies.This changes their bodies pH levels, giving them a condition called acidosis. This can mess up how the fish’s body works. It can stunt their growth as well as using up the energy used for basic tasks such as breathing. Not only animals are affected by the acidification of the ocean. Plants and algae are also affected. Some of the plants will be able to adapt to the acidic conditions others won’t. They use the CO₂ to make energy with the sun. Seagrasses are nurseries for little fishies. Scientists found better growth and reproduction rates in these plants. Overall the effects of ocean acidification will create huge changes in the marine ecosystem. This could be extinction of specific coral and snails. This will create less food and habitats for sea creatures. These are some positive and negative effects of ocean
This issue is occurring because of fossil …show more content…
Here are some caused by ocean acidification. First there are the coral. Coral make calcium shells or skeletons. These are negatively impacted by the increased CO₂ and lowered pH. With this issue the reefs are having great difficulties making their skeletons. This is limiting the protective barriers for the fish. Another animal impacted by the acidification are the shellfish. The acidification has impacted the reproduction of oysters. The lower pH levels are resulting in unsaturated aragonite which is preventing the oysters from reproducing normally. Fish are another animal affected by this issue. The lower pH levels is affecting the water that the fish absorb into their bodies.This changes their bodies pH levels, giving them a condition called acidosis. This can mess up how the fish’s body works. It can stunt their growth as well as using up the energy used for basic tasks such as breathing. Not only animals are affected by the acidification of the ocean. Plants and algae are also affected. Some of the plants will be able to adapt to the acidic conditions others won’t. They use the CO₂ to make energy with the sun. Seagrasses are nurseries for little fishies. Scientists found better growth and reproduction rates in these plants. Overall the effects of ocean acidification will create huge changes in the marine ecosystem. This could be extinction of specific coral and snails. This will create less food and habitats for sea creatures. These are some positive and negative effects of ocean