What is Ocean Acidification and Its Causes?

To comprehend ocean acidification, it is essential to grasp a few basic chemistry concepts. Water can fall into one of three categories based on its pH level:

• Acidic (pH below 7)
• Neutral (pH equal to 7)
• Alkaline (pH above 7)

In essence, the lower the pH value, the more acidic the water becomes. Generally, the ocean's surface pH ranges between 8.0 and 8.3, indicating an alkaline environment. Marine life has evolved under these conditions, making them highly adapted to this ecosystem. Any alteration to this equilibrium poses a significant risk to their survival.

Ocean acidification is primarily driven by the excess carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted into the atmosphere. This CO2 comes from various human activities, such as driving cars or burning fossil fuels. When seawater absorbs CO2, it undergoes a chemical transformation that generates carbonic acid (H2CO3), leading to increased acidity. The acidity level rises due to a higher concentration of H+ ions in the water. Consequently, as CO2 emissions escalate, so does the formation of H+ ions, resulting in more acidic oceans.

The Industrial Revolution and Its Aftermath

Over the past 200 years, particularly since the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has surged due to human activities. This trend has only intensified over time, amplifying our ecological footprint. During this period, the ocean's surface pH has dropped by 0.1 units. While this may seem negligible, the pH scale operates logarithmically, translating to an approximate 30% increase in acidity.

This heightened acidity can have dire consequences for marine ecosystems. It disrupts the marine food web and reduces the skeletal growth rates of corals, which are vital for forming reef structures. Ocean acidification can lead to the dissolution of shells and skeletons made of calcium carbonate, impacting numerous marine organisms. As acidity rises, these structures degrade more quickly.

Marine animals that rely on calcium carbonate must devote additional energy to repair or thicken their shells, diverting energy away from growth and reproduction. Species that can endure more acidic waters may become smaller, potentially disrupting the food chains that rely on them.

Economic Consequences of Ocean Acidification

The repercussions extend beyond ecology; they also threaten biodiversity, diminishing fish and crustacean populations and impacting fishing economies. This poses a significant risk to food security and protein sources for millions worldwide, affecting around 47.5 million fishers and an additional 120 million individuals employed in related sectors.

Furthermore, the adverse effects on coral reefs jeopardize coastal protection against erosion and flooding, undermining the foundation of marine biodiversity.

The first video explores the threats of ocean acidification to marine ecosystems and economies, highlighting its far-reaching impacts.

The second video delves into ocean acidification as a concealed danger to our oceans, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this critical issue.