Ocean Acidification And Its Effect On The Ocean - 1599 Words

Ocean acidification The world we live in is so vast and exciting. Seventy percent of our world is liquid water we call the ocean. In the ocean there are many creatures that each are unique in their own way. However, it is possible that in our lifetime, many marine organisms will become endangered or possibly extinct. The loss of these mejestic marine creatures will be caused mainly because of human advancements in which fossil fuels are used to produce energy. Biodiversity is greatly affected by this increase in acidity. As the ocean acidifies, multiple social and economic issues arise. As humans, we rely on the ocean for almost everything. Much of our food, clothing, cleaning products and cosmetics come from the ocean. With the loss of†¦show more content†¦However; life in the ocean may be on the verge of change due primarily to excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that we exhale in our daily lives. Plants use carbon dioxide to create oxygen that all mamm als use. However, carbon dioxide can also change the chemistry of the ocean, this is often referred to as ocean acidification. The excess carbon dissolves into oxygen in the water, producing a chemical called carbonic acid. This acid causes the ocean to become more acidic. In the eighteenth century, the pH was 8.07 which was slightly basic. Currently, the pH is around 8.01 this is about a twenty-five percent increase in acidity. (National geographic) While this slight change may not seem outrageous, it is causing multiple marine life struggles. The acid melts the shells of pteropods causing a low supply of food that would support larger fish. Carbon dioxide buildup is caused by both natural and anthropogenic causes. Carbon Dioxide is naturally created by processes such as volcanic eruptions and naturally occurring forest fires. Humans cause the gases to build up by the burning fossil fuels. This can be caused in a multitude of ways, including that of deforestation, industrial produ ction and common transportation. These processes release many natural gases into the atmosphere, causing a blanket of greenhouse gasses. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and oxygen help