All Flashcards
Describe the chemical process of ocean acidification.
CO2 dissolves in seawater, forms carbonic acid (H2CO3), which releases hydrogen ions (H+), lowering pH.
What is the effect of increased ocean acidity on shell-building organisms?
Reduced availability of calcium carbonate makes it harder for them to build and maintain shells.
What is the effect of ocean acidification on pteropods?
Their shells can dissolve in waters with predicted acidity levels, threatening their survival and the food web.
What is the effect of increased CO2 on seagrass and algae?
These plants tend to grow more in a CO2-rich environment, which can lead to imbalances.
What is the effect of increased acidity on fish?
It can disrupt their sense of smell, affecting their ability to find food and mates, and cause physiological stress.
What is the effect of burning fossil fuels on the ocean?
Increases atmospheric CO2, leading to ocean acidification.
What is the effect of deforestation on the ocean?
Increases atmospheric CO2, leading to ocean acidification.
Explain the relationship between atmospheric CO2 and ocean acidity.
Increased atmospheric CO2 leads to increased CO2 absorption by the ocean, which then increases ocean acidity.
Why is calcium carbonate important for marine organisms?
It's used to build shells, skeletons, and regulate internal pH.
How does ocean acidification affect the marine food web?
It impacts organisms at the base of the food chain, like pteropods, causing ripple effects throughout the ecosystem.
What human activities contribute to ocean acidification?
Burning of fossil fuels and deforestation are major contributors to increased atmospheric CO2.
Explain why a small change in pH has a big impact.
The pH scale is logarithmic; a 0.1 change represents a significant change in acidity.
How does ocean acidification affect fish physiology?
It can disrupt their sense of smell and cause physiological stress.
How do seagrass and algae benefit from increased CO2?
These plants tend to grow more in a CO2-rich environment.
Explain the domino effect of pteropod decline.
The collapse of pteropod populations would have a ripple effect throughout the marine ecosystem because they are a major food source.
What is the predicted future of ocean acidity?
Scientists predict that ocean acidity could increase by over 100% in the next 100 years if CO2 production continues at its current rate.