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The Impact of Ocean

Acidification

By: Reeves Farrell

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Table of Contents

Abstract - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Page 3

What is Ocean Acidification?The Dangers of

Acidification - - - - - Page 3-5

The Current State of Our Oceans - - Page 4-5

The Dangers of AcidificationSome Solutions- - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - Page 6-7-7

What Can We Do? Why This Matters - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Page 7-87-8

Conclusion -Conclusion- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Page 8-

9

References- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Page 1010

Table of Figures
Figure 1: Detailing the process of ocean acidification.....2
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Figure 2: Ocean pH levels.............................................................2

Figure 4: How ocean acidification affects marine life.....2
Figure 5: Take action.......................................................................2

Abstract
Ocean acidification is the decreasing of ocean pH levels
due to increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the water (1)..
This paper will detail the effects of ocean acidification on ocean
organisms and explain why it is important that humans combat
climate change. This paper will discuss the current state of our
oceans, as well as where things are heading if ocean
acidification is not stopped. Finally, this paper will discuss ways
that both individuals and society can prevent more damage
being done to Earth’s Ocean environments.

TheWhat is Ocean Acidification

Dangers of Acidification?
Ocean acidification refers to the decreasing of the ocean’s
pH level due to climate change. The pH scale is on a range from
1 to 14, with anything lower than a 7 being acidic, while
anything above a 7 being basic. Ocean acidification occurs is
primarily caused by increased carbon dioxide absorption in the
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ocean. Since the 1800’s, humans have exponentially increased

the amount of carbon dioxide produced as waste. As the carbon
dioxide enters sea water, marine organisms become increasingly
unlikely to survive (2 (further discussed in the next section). It is
important to note that this is a continuous issue. Our oceans are
continuing to acidify, despite efforts to curb the rate of climate
change. The next section will detail exactly how our oceans are
doing and what dangers we may face.

Figure 1: Detailing the process of ocean acidification

The Current State of Our Oceans

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As it stands today, our oceans absorb roughly 30% of all

the carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. This is a
massive amount of carbon dioxide entering the oceans regularly.
Due to ocean acidification, the ocean’s average pH lies around
8.1. While the ocean is currently on the basic side of the scale,
increased carbon dioxide emissions are only making it more
acidic. While it may seem like we are still far away from an
acidic ocean, it is possible we reach a pH below 7 by as early as
2030. This is a drastic change in such a small amount of time.
Marine organism cannot adapt to these conditions that quickly,
potentially leading to the extinction of tons of marine species.
The next paragraph will detail exactly how this could happen.
The biggest concern for our oceans is the ability for ocean
organisms to survive. As the pH of the water decreases towards
more acidic levels, the habitats of marine organisms will begin
to change. Many organisms require specific pH levels just to
survive, as specific levels can prove deadly (3). While other
organisms do not perish from decreased pH, they are still
directly affected. Whether by lack of prey for food or the break
downbreakdown of their habitat, every organism is affected by
ocean acidification. The image on page 6below details the
change in ocean pH over just a 5-year period. While these
numbers may seem small for now, they will only increase as
climate change becomes worse. This next section will detail
even more dangers of ocean acidification, for both marine
organisms and the world.
Now it is easy to think about how little this directly affects
humans. However, as you investigate the matter, it becomes
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increasingly obvious how much humanity relies on our oceans.

Not only do we utilize our ocean as a source of food, but we also
gather raw materials from the ocean. By disrupting the natural
balance of the sea, we lose the ability to use resources that help
us daily. Cutting out an extensive food supply such as the ocean
also depilates many countries of their primary exports and
imports. From a climate change perspective, global temperatures
will begin to rise along with the acidification of the ocean,
leading to more dangerous living conditions. Any way you look
at it, humans are being affected, even if we do not see the
immediate dangers.

Some Solutions
Figure 2: Ocean pH levels

As of right now, the biggest way to stop further ocean

acidification is to burn fewer fossil fuels. By adjusting the
amount of carbon dioxide humans release into the atmosphere, it
is possible to slow or even reverse the effects of ocean
acidification. Individuals can ride a bike instead of using their
car to go to work. If that is not an option, taking public transport
reduces the number of cars on road, decreasing carbon output.
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Electing representatives who have the power to make such

changes is important. Petitioning for businesses to lower carbon
emissions is another way individuals can try to make a
difference. If every person took a small amount of time to make
some of these decisions, entire countries could reduce carbon
emissions greatly.
It is also important to note that renewable energy can and will be
a way for society to reduce carbon emissions. Sources such as
wind power or solar power can drastically help our environment.
Simple things such as electric cars and wind turbines may be the
reason why our oceans are saved. Another potential power
source could be solar power. Any source of energy that does not
rely on releasing carbon into the atmosphere is a good solution
to the problem of ocean acidification. The sooner we make
transitions to devices like these, the sooner we can change the
course of our climate.

The Dangers of AcidificationWhy

This Matters
Figure 3: Take action
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The diagram below details how the adjusting pH directly affects

the lives of marine organisms. Specifically in this diagram, the
ability for creatures to make shells is highly affected by ocean
acidification. As the pH decreases, shells and external skeleton
begin to breakdown (1). A prime example of this is the
breakdown of coral and coral reefs. The increased acidity leads
to the bleaching and destruction of coral habitats. These coral
reefs house a multitude of organisms and are one of the most
threatened ecosystems due to climate change. Without these
coral reefs, many animals and plants face extinction.

Figure 4: How ocean acidification affects marine life

Now it is easy to think about how little this directly affects

humans. However, as you investigate the matter, it becomes
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increasingly obvious how much humanity relies on our oceans.

Not only do we utilize our ocean as a source of food, but we also
gather raw materials from the ocean. By disrupting the natural
balance of the sea, we lose the ability to use resources that help
us daily. Cutting out an extensive food supply such as the ocean
also depilates many countries of their primary exports and
imports. From a financial perspective, many countries rely on
the ocean to make money.
Therefore, we need to start making both individual changes as
well as nationwide changes. In the solutions section, the use of
wind turbines was mentioned. If every country made an effort to
switch a decent percentage of their energy to purely wind power
we would see a drastic decrease in carbon emissions. By
reducing this carbon output, it is feasible to say that our oceans
may stop the acidification process altogether. If we do not begin
to make these changes, the damage done may be

gure 5: Take action

irreversible.While these issues may not seem relevant right now,

it is important to note that these will become serious problems if
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left unattended. Ocean acidification and climate change will not

go away if we sit around and do nothing. They will only
continue to become more and more destructive, leaving us to
deal with the consequences. Thankfully, we can stop this from
happening; this next section will explore ways humanity can
stop ocean acidification from causing more damage.

What Can We Do?

As of right now, the biggest way to stop further ocean
acidification is to burn fewer fossil fuels. By adjusting the
amount of carbon dioxide humans release into the atmosphere, it
is possible to slow or even reverse the effects of ocean
acidification. While individuals may not be able to directly
prevent more carbon emissions, electing representatives who
have the power to make such changes is important. Petitioning
for businesses to lower carbon emissions is another way
individuals can try to make a difference. If every person took a
small amount of time to make some of these decisions, entire
countries could reduce carbon emissions greatly.
It is also important to note that renewable energy can and
will be a way for society to reduce carbon emissions. Sources
such as wind power or solar power can drastically help our
environment. Simple things such as electric cars and wind
turbines may be the reason why our oceans are saved. The
sooner we make transitions to devices like these, the sooner we
can change the course of our climate.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, ocean acidification is a real threat to both
our ocean organisms and the world. It is important that everyone
does their part to fight a battle that we can win. However, there
is only so much time that is left to change the course of climate
change. This is not something that can continue to be put off.
While we may not be directly affected at first, ocean
acidification will lead to long term complications for the world.
It is up to humanity to stop this now before it is too late. All it
takes it one phone call to a senator, one trip on your bike to
work, or one petition to make a difference. We can fix our
climate and our oceans, together.
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References
1. https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-
collections/ocean-coasts/ocean-acidification
2. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/what-you-need-know-
about-ocean-acidification?
gclid=CjwKCAiApfeQBhAUEiwA7K_UH2m479yy
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AvD_BwE
3. https://www.eli.org/events/ocean-acidification-
managing-marine-impacts-climate-change?
gclid=CjwKCAiApfeQBhAUEiwA7K_UH0OWUnx
jvN7Q9odJyYh91L6D-Fup0buD6ghu4W-
9P6nKmTwmcRTSqhoCwDMQAvD_BwE