ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

1ST PERFORMANCE
TASK

OCEAN
ACIDIFICATION
BY GROUP 1 - SE124
 INTRODUCTION
Ocean Acidification is one of the newest most significant
threats to marine ecosystems. It is the result of buildup
of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere. As these gases accumulate in the
atmosphere, it becomes more acidic as it is dissolved in
the ocean causing oceaning pH to drop. Over the past
decades, human activities cause the increased amount of
carbon dioxide gas emitted to the atmosphere and the
amount that dissolves into the ocean. Now, so much
carbon dioxide has been absorbed by the ocean that the
chemistry of seawater is changing, causing the ocean to
become more acidic.
 OBJECTIVES

After finishing the lesson, you should be able to:

➢ Define what is ocean acidification.

➢ Recall the Carbon cycle.
➢ Understand the chemistry of ocean acidification
➢ Distinguish biological impacts and effects on shellfish, corals,
and other calcifiers caused by the ocean acidification
➢ Apply the solutions to mitigate ocean acidification.
 CONTENT OF DISCUSSION

OCEAN THE CHEMISTRY OF BIOLOGICAL IMPACTS BY

ACIDIFICATION CARBON CYCLE OCEAN ACIDIFICATION OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON HOW WILL OBSERVATION ON THE SOLUTION TO THE

ECOSYSTEMS CHANGING ECOSYSTEMS CURRENT STATE ISSUE AT HAND
AROUND THE GLOBE IMPACT PEOPLE?
WHAT IS OCEAN ACIDIFICATION?
➢ sometimes called “climate change’s equally evil twin”

➢ a significant and harmful consequence of excess carbon

dioxide in the atmosphere that we don't see or feel
because its effects are happening underwater

➢ at least one-quarter of the carbon dioxide (CO2) released

by burning coal, oil and gas doesn't stay in the air, but
instead dissolves into the ocean
 THE CARBON CYCLE
➢ involves both organic compounds such as cellulose and inorganic carbon compounds such as
carbon dioxide and the carbonates.
➢ the inorganic is particularly relevant when discussing ocean acidification for it includes many
forms of dissolved carbon dioxide present in the earth’s ocean.
➢ when carbon dioxide dissolves, it reacts with water to form a balance of ionic and non- ionic
chemical species, which are:

> Dissolved free carbon dioxide > Bicarbonate

> Carbonic acid > Carbonate

The ratio of these species depends on factors such as sea water temperature
and alkalinity
EVIDENCE OF EXCESS CARBON DIOXIDE
➢ For the first half of the twentieth century, scientists thought
the excess carbon dioxide from fossil fuel emissions would
be taken up by vegetation and absorbed by the immense
ocean without accumulating in the atmosphere.
➢ But a key paper published in 1957 by Roger Revelle, director
of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, together with
chemist Hans Suess, hypothesized that the ocean would
absorb carbon dioxide at a much slower rate than was
previously thought.
 THE CHEMISTRY OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

Atmospheric carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean,

where it reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid
(H2CO3). Almost immediately, carbonic acid
dissociates to form bicarbonate ions (HCO3 - ) and
hydrogen ions (H+ ). As the concentration of hydrogen
ions increases, the water becomes more acidic.
 BIOLOGICAL IMPACTS BY OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

➢ Increasing acidity, which also changes the carbonate chemistry of

seawater, combined with other environmental stressors like increasing
ocean temperature and pollution, has the potential to affect many
biological processes.

➢ Ocean acidification could be contributing to the decline in coral growth.

Every coral reef begins with tiny coral polyps that use the carbonate ions
naturally found in seawater to form a hard calcium carbonate skeleton.
Over time, the skeletons of many coral polyps will build up the structure of
the reef. This means that ocean acidification threatens coral reefs.
 POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON ECOSYSTEMS AROUND THE GLOBE
1. THE OPEN OCEAN
➢ Planktonic species need
carbonate ions to build their
shells and if ocean
acidification rises,
carbonate-based plankton
organisms may decrease,
suggesting that a number of
animals, like fish, seals and
whales, can lack or have
less food altogether.
2. TROPICAL CORAL REEFS
➢ Experiments show that
ocean acidification keeps
coral reef building from
rapidly growing, enough to
avoid habitat loss and
competition, or adequately
repair physical damage. More
acidic conditions could also
contribute to coral
bleaching.
 POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON ECOSYSTEMS AROUND THE GLOBE
3. POLAR ECOSYSTEMS
➢ Carbon dioxide dissolves more
readily in cold water, acidifying
polar waters faster than in lower
latitudes. Scientists have
determined that the surface
waters of the Southern Ocean will
begin to become corrosive to
some types of carbonate
structures by the year 2050 if
carbon dioxide emissions continue
to increase at the current rate.
4. DEEP WATER CORAL REEFS
➢ Ocean acidification is expected to
take longer to reach the deeper
waters, but over time it could
reduce calcification, decreasing
the rate of growth of deep-water
corals. Many deep-dwelling
organisms are adapted to the
unvarying conditions that
characterize the deep sea and may
be less able to cope with change,
such as ocean acidity.
EFFECTS ON SHELLFISH, CORALS AND OTHER CALCIFIERS
SHELLFISH
In recent years, near total failures of developing oysters in both aquaculture facilities and
natural ecosystems on the west coast. Larval oyster failures appear to be connected with
naturally occurring events that bring low pH waters undersaturated in aragonite. Low pH can
be a factor with the current oyster reproductive failure.
CORALS
Marine organisms that produce calcium carbonate shells or skeletons are negatively
impacted on increasing CO2 levels and decreasing pH in seawater. One example is the
increasing ocean acidification has been shown in reducing the ability of reef-building corals to
produce their own skeletons.

CALCIFIERS
Organisms with shells or skeletons made from calcium carbonate—are among the most
abundant forms of marine life. Ranging from tiny plankton species to the vast coral reefs that
provide habitat, calcifiers are an essential part of many marine ecosystems.
 NEUROLOGICAL EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
➢ Recent research suggests that ocean acidification could muddle
fishes’ sense of smell and alter their behavior. Scientists found that in
more acidic conditions, young clownfish lost the ability to navigate
home using their sense of smell.

➢ The fish also became attracted to odors they normally avoid, such as
the scent of predators, and displayed uncharacteristically bold
behaviors such as roaming far from their home reef. These changes
could be due to altered patterns of neurotransmitter function in high
carbon dioxide conditions.
 HOW WILL CHANGING ECOSYSTEMS IMPACT PEOPLE?

As the ocean’s ecosystems change, so too will the services they

provide to society. For example, every year, millions of scuba
divers and snorkelers visit coral reefs to enjoy their beauty and
abundant sea life. Local businesses generate income by offering
diving tours and recreational fishing trips, and hotels, restaurants,
and other businesses based near the reef ecosystems also benefit
from the influx of visitors. One estimate places the total global
value of coral-reef based recreation and tourism at $9.6 billion.
Ocean acidification threatens the survival of these beautiful and
valuable ecosystems.
 OBSERVATION OF THE CURRENT STATE
➢ If carbon dioxide emissions continue unchecked-key
parts of the marine environment that are essential
for fish-such as coral reefs, algae and plankton will
be severely affected, leading to the extinction of
some species by 2050.

➢ Current rate of acidification - making it difficult for

species and habitats to adapt.

➢ If atmospheric carbon dioxide can be stabilized at

450 ppm, only 8% of existing tropical and
sub-tropical coral reefs will still be in the waters of
right pH level to support their growth.
 SOLUTIONS
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE AND REFUSE! ASSESS YOUR LIFE, CAREER
This helps conserve energy and reduces pollution and AND LIFESTYLE CHOICES
CONSERVE WATER
greenhouse gas emissions from resource extraction, Suggest changes in the
Remember often what goes manufacturing, and disposal.
workplace, and do what
down the drain ends up in rivers
feels right for you and the
and lakes, which all filter into
environment.
our oceans.

USE LESS ENERGY AT HOME REDUCE USAGE OF PLASTIC

Conserve energy also Do not use single-use plastic
by saving resources bags.
and money.

EAT LESS MEAT CALCULATE YOUR

The lower on the CARBON FOOTPRINT
food chain you eat,
Liv Clean is just one of the many
the less energy is
used. online calculators available.
 FORUM/
DISCUSSION
What are your thoughts on Ocean Acidification?
 CONCLUSION

➢ Due to ocean acidification, the oceans’

capacity as a carbon storehouse is
diminishing.
➢ If nothing is done to help curb ocean
acidification, its negative impact may
be felt on the marine environment, local
communities, and all the way through
the global economy.
 REFERENCES
1. Barla, E. (2012, October 24). Ocean Acidification. Retrieved from:
https://www.slideshare.net/ElenBarla/ocean-acidification-14866953

2. Bennett, J., Ocean Portal Team, & Noaa. (2019, June 20). Ocean Acidification.
Retrieved from: https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/ocean-acidification

3. Feely, R. A., (n.d). Ocean Acidification, PMEL Carbon Program. Retrieved from:
https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/What+is+Ocean+Acidification%3F

4. Kachh, G. R. (2016, March 29). Ocean Acidification. Retrieved from:

https://www.slideshare.net/GayatriSonkar/ocean-acidification-60153240umber%20of%20human%20impacts.&text='Fleshy'%20organis
ms%2C%20such%20as,resulting%20in%20increased%20growth%20rates.

5. N.a, (2020). Introduction to Ocean Acidification, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. Retrieved
from:https://scripps.ucsd.edu/labs/coralreefecology/research/introduction-to-ocean-acidification/#:~:text=Introduction%20to%
20Ocean%20Acidification,a%20n

6. N.a, (n.d). Ocean Acidification: frequently asked questions, Center for Biological Diversity. Retrieved
from:https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/endangered_oceans/faq.html

7. N.a, (n.d). Ocean Acidification: You Can Help Stop Ocean Acidification,
Revolution. Retrieved from: http://therevolutionmovie.com/index.php/open-your-eyes/ocean-acidification/solutions/

8. N.a, (n.d.). What is Ocean Acidification, Pacific MArine Environmental Laboratory.Retrieved from:
https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/What+is+Ocean+Acidification%3F