Ocean Acidification

More and more carbon dioxide is being released into the atmoshphere by people around the world.

The ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and it undergoes a chemical change. As there is mixing between oceans and carbon dioxide, carbonic acid is formed

H2O + CO2 -> H2CO3

The increase in carbonic acid makes oceans slightly more acidic, meaning the pH is going down. These small changes in pH have dramatic effects! With more acidic conditions, it is hard for some species to make their shells and skeletons. Animals, like corals, crustaceans, and bivalves, are particularly susceptible. 

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