 Negative consequences of ocean carbon absorption:

Ocean carbon absorption leads to ocean acidification, which reduces the chemical
buffering capacity of the ocean and affects marine ecosystems.
The reduction in the equilibrium carbon capacity of the ocean due to
anthropogenic CO2 absorption can have long-term impacts on the ocean's ability to
take up CO2.
Ocean acidification can harm coral reefs, shellfish, and other marine organisms
that rely on calcium carbonate for their shells and skeletons.
The decrease in the solubility of CO2 in a warming ocean can reduce the oceanic
uptake of CO2, further impacting the carbon cycle.
The uncertain future of the ocean carbon cycle poses scientific challenges in
understanding and predicting the consequences of continued carbon absorption by
the ocean.
 How does ocean acidification affect marine ecosystems?
Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide by the ocean, can
have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems.
The decrease in pH due to ocean acidification can hinder the ability of marine
organisms, such as corals, shellfish, and plankton, to build and maintain their
calcium carbonate structures, such as shells and skeletons.
This can lead to reduced growth, weakened structures, and increased vulnerability
to predation and disease.
Ocean acidification can also disrupt the balance of marine food webs, as it may
affect the survival and reproduction of key species, which can have cascading
effects on the entire ecosystem.
Additionally, ocean acidification can impact the physiology and behavior of
marine organisms, including their sensory abilities, metabolism, and reproductive
processes.
 Effects of ocean acidification on marine food webs:
Ocean acidification can disrupt the balance of marine food webs by affecting the
survival, growth, and reproduction of key species.
Calcifying organisms, such as shellfish and corals, may experience reduced
growth and weakened structures, making them more vulnerable to predation and
impacting their role as food sources for other organisms.
Changes in the availability and quality of food sources due to ocean acidification
can impact the feeding behavior and nutritional status of marine organisms,
potentially leading to shifts in species composition and abundance within food
webs.
The decreased ability of some organisms to build and maintain calcium carbonate
structures can affect their ability to provide shelter and habitat for other species,
disrupting the complex interactions within marine ecosystems.
 How does ocean acidification hinder calcifying organisms?
Ocean acidification hinders calcifying organisms by reducing the availability of
carbonate ions, which are essential for the formation of calcium carbonate
structures in their shells and skeletons.
The decrease in pH due to ocean acidification makes it more difficult for
calcifying organisms to extract carbonate ions from seawater, leading to slower
growth rates and weakened structures.
The reduced availability of carbonate ions can also result in the dissolution of
existing calcium carbonate structures, further compromising the integrity of
calcifying organisms.
Ocean acidification can disrupt the balance between calcification and dissolution
processes, potentially leading to a net loss of calcium carbonate in the oceans and
impacting the overall abundance and distribution of calcifying organisms.
The vulnerability of calcifying organisms to ocean acidification varies depending
on their species, life stage, and environmental conditions, but overall, the
acidification of seawater poses a significant threat to their survival and
reproductive success.
 How does ocean acidification reduce carbonate ions?
Ocean acidification reduces carbonate ions by increasing the concentration of
hydrogen ions in seawater, which lowers the pH and shifts the carbonate
equilibrium towards the formation of bicarbonate ions.
The increased concentration of hydrogen ions from ocean acidification decreases
the availability of carbonate ions for calcifying organisms to use in the formation
of calcium carbonate structures.
The decrease in carbonate ions makes it more difficult for calcifying organisms to
build and maintain their shells and skeletons, leading to slower growth rates and
weakened structures.
Ocean acidification can also lead to the dissolution of existing calcium carbonate
structures, further reducing the availability of carbonate ions for calcifying
organisms.
The reduction in carbonate ions due to ocean acidification disrupts the balance
between calcification and dissolution processes, potentially resulting in a net loss
of calcium carbonate in the oceans.
 How does ocean acidification increase hydrogen ions?
Ocean acidification increases hydrogen ions by increasing the concentration of
carbon dioxide (CO2) in seawater. When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it reacts with
water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3), which then dissociates into hydrogen ions
(H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-). This process increases the concentration of
hydrogen ions in the water, leading to a decrease in pH and making the water more
acidic.
The increase in hydrogen ions from ocean acidification disrupts the balance of
carbonate ions (CO32-) in seawater. Carbonate ions combine with calcium ions
(Ca2+) to form calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which is used by marine organisms to
build shells and skeletons. However, the increased hydrogen ions reduce the
availability of carbonate ions, making it more difficult for organisms to form and
maintain their calcium carbonate structures.
The reduction in carbonate ions due to ocean acidification can also lead to the
dissolution of existing calcium carbonate structures, further reducing the
availability of carbonate ions for marine organisms.
 How does CO2 react with water?
CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H 2CO3) through a chemical reaction
known as hydration. This reaction occurs when CO 2 dissolves in water, resulting
in the formation of carbonic acid molecules.
The reaction between CO2 and water is reversible, meaning that carbonic acid can
dissociate back into CO2 and water molecules. This equilibrium between CO2,
carbonic acid, and water is influenced by factors such as temperature, pressure,
and the concentration of CO2 in the water.
The presence of carbonic acid in water leads to an increase in the concentration of
hydrogen ions (H+), which lowers the pH of the water and makes it more acidic.
The increase in hydrogen ions from the reaction of CO 2 with water is a key factor
in ocean acidification, as it disrupts the balance of carbonate ions (CO 32-) in
seawater and affects the ability of marine organisms to build and maintain their
calcium carbonate structures.
 Chemical reaction between CO2 and water:
CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3) through a process called
hydration.
The reaction can be represented by the equation: CO2 + H2O ⇌ H2CO3.
Carbonic acid can further dissociate into hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions
(HCO3-): H2CO3 ⇌ H+ + HCO3-.
This reaction increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in the water, leading to
a decrease in pH and making the water more acidic.
The presence of carbonic acid and the increase in hydrogen ions are key factors in
ocean acidification, which has detrimental effects on marine organisms and their
ability to build calcium carbonate structures.