Ocean Acidification
· Since
industrial revolution, CO2 concentrations have increased due to burning of
fossil fuels and land use change
· Ocean
absorbs 30% of carbon dioxide that is released into atmosphere
o
As atmospheric levels increase so do the
levels in the ocean
· A
lot happens when CO2 is absorbed by seawater
o
Chain of chemical reactions
o
Higher level of hydrogen ions
o
Becomes more acidic and carbonate ions
become less abundant
· Carbonate
ions
o
Building blocks of structures
§ Sea
shells and coral
o
Less of these makes it harder for the
building and maintaining of shells
§ Oysters,
clams, sea urchins, shallow and deep corals, and calcareous plankton
o
Also affects fish
§ Ability
to detect predators decreases in more acidic waters
· Affecting
the world’s oceans
o
Whole food chain may be at risk
o
Many places depend of fish and shellfish
as primary source of protein
