Introduction
"Ocean acidification is sometimes called 'climate change’s equally evil twin,' and for good reason: it's a significant and harmful consequence of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that we don't see or feel because its effects are happening underwater."
- Jennifer Bennett et al., "Ocean Acidification"
- Jennifer Bennett et al., "Ocean Acidification"
When you first hear the word “carbon dioxide”, the problem of climate change likely first comes to mind. But climate change is not the only problem caused by carbon dioxide today. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, the oceans have been absorbing large amounts—nearly 30%—of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by humans. While this might seem beneficial for the environment at first as it does reduce climate change, the excess carbon dioxide causes other issues by dissolving in seawater and therefore drastically altering ocean chemistry, primarily by making seawater more acidic. This change in ocean pH is known as ocean acidification.
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In this graph, the red line depicts atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, the blue line depicts oceanic carbon dioxide levels, and the green line depicts ocean pH. As can be seen in the graph, a rise in atmospheric and oceanic carbon dioxide levels is correlated with a fall in ocean pH.
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Effects
Ocean acidification’s effects are not just limited to the oceans, however. Through its impacts on marine ecosystems, ocean acidification has a devastating impact on human society, causing adverse consequences for individuals, entire industries, and the human population as a whole.
Effects on IndividualsOyster farmers in Washington have recently been experiencing greatly reduced harvests because of ocean acidification.
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Effects on IndustriesThe Great Barrier Reef, as well as the many industries that it supports, has recently begun to experience the effects of acidification.
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Effects on the PopulationPteropods, tiny sea snails that are vital to marine food webs, are currently being threatened by ocean acidification.
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