Ocean Acidification

Ocean Acidification

decreasing pH of ocean waters due to absorption of excess atmospheric CO2

pH Scale

the concentration of Hydrogen ions. 7 on the scale is neutral. Acids are below 7. Bases are above 7.

Base

A solution with very few H+

>7 on pH Scale; strong bases have a pH of 12, 13, 14.

FYI: the ocean is slightly basic.

Acid

The concentration of [H+] or Hydrogen Ions

<7 on pH Scale; strong acids have a pH of 1 or 2.

FYI: carbonic acid has a pH of 4.

Neutral pH

pH is equal to 7

contains equal numbers of hydrogen and hydroxide ions

[H+] = [-OH]

Example: WATER

Carbonic Acid

CO2 + H2O --> H2CO3

The acid formed from carbon dioxide in water.

Calcium Carbonate

CaCO3

The white material in shells and limestone.

The carbonate pump

The cycling of calcium carbonate formed into shells by certain organisms such as plankton and mollusks

Upwelling

The movement of deep, cold, and nutrient-rich water to the surface

marine snow

detritus originating in the photic zone that sinks to the abyss, serving as the primary source of energy for deep- sea organisms

Ocean buffering system

Calcium Carbonate in the ocean prevents the ocean from experiencing large pH changes

biological pump

transport of organic carbon and nutrients from the surface ocean to the deep ocean which are then upwelled to the surface