1fs. Carbon Dioxide and the OceansWhite the absorption of CO2 may
sound entirely fortuitous, it brings about the problem of acidification
of the oceans. When CO2 is absorbed by water, it creates carbonic acid,
and this has led to some acidification of the ocean waters. Figure
16-2-1 shows the changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide since 1960, along
with amount of oceanic carbon dioxide and pH since the 1980s. There is a
very close correspondence between oceanic and atmospheric levels. At
the same time, the dissolved CO2 causes the water to have a greater
acidity (lower pH).This can have deleterious effects on oceanic
organisms with calcareous shells and exoskeletons, such as coral (Figure
16-2-2). As described earlier in this chapter, coral are small marine
organisms with hard shells composed largely of calcium carbonate. But as
oceans become more acidic, coral have a more difficult time
accumulating calcium carbonate. This increased acidity has already
caused a substantial reduction in the growth rate of corals in the Great
Barrier Reef of Australia, one of the world’s great natural wonders.We
know with certainty that atmospheric carbon dioxide contents will
continueto increase during this century and that some CO2 emissions will
continueto diffuse into the oceans. But there is less certainty about
whether the oceans will continue to absorb atmospheric contents at their
current rate. Several factors are involved in this issue. The first is
that greater atmosphere–ocean differences in the concentration of any
particular gas increase the rate of transfer. In other words, an
increase in atmospheric CO2 by itself would lead to greater diffusion
into the oceans But counter to this is the fact that warmer waters are
less capable of maintaining carbon dioxide, and oceanic surface
temperatures will also be increasing. The situation is further muddled
by the complexity and uncertainty of future movements of oceanic
currents—in particular, patterns of sinking and upwelling—as well as the
ability of plants and plankton to obtain CO2 through
photosynthesis.Despite these uncertainties, we do know that carbon
dioxide will continue to diffuse into the oceans and lead to increasing
acidity and associated ecological impacts.FIGURE 16-2-1 Ocean
Acidification. Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide contents have coincided
with increasing amounts of oceanic CO2. As a result, oceans have become
more acidic (lower pH)....FIGURE 16-2-2 A Coral Reef....How have
changes in the CO2 content of the atmosphere affected the chemistry of
ocean water? Get solution
2fs. Carbon Dioxide and the OceansWhite the absorption of CO2 may sound entirely fortuitous, it brings about the problem of acidification of the oceans. When CO2 is absorbed by water, it creates carbonic acid, and this has led to some acidification of the ocean waters. Figure 16-2-1 shows the changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide since 1960, along with amount of oceanic carbon dioxide and pH since the 1980s. There is a very close correspondence between oceanic and atmospheric levels. At the same time, the dissolved CO2 causes the water to have a greater acidity (lower pH).This can have deleterious effects on oceanic organisms with calcareous shells and exoskeletons, such as coral (Figure 16-2-2). As described earlier in this chapter, coral are small marine organisms with hard shells composed largely of calcium carbonate. But as oceans become more acidic, coral have a more difficult time accumulating calcium carbonate. This increased acidity has already caused a substantial reduction in the growth rate of corals in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, one of the world’s great natural wonders.We know with certainty that atmospheric carbon dioxide contents will continueto increase during this century and that some CO2 emissions will continueto diffuse into the oceans. But there is less certainty about whether the oceans will continue to absorb atmospheric contents at their current rate. Several factors are involved in this issue. The first is that greater atmosphere–ocean differences in the concentration of any particular gas increase the rate of transfer. In other words, an increase in atmospheric CO2 by itself would lead to greater diffusion into the oceans But counter to this is the fact that warmer waters are less capable of maintaining carbon dioxide, and oceanic surface temperatures will also be increasing. The situation is further muddled by the complexity and uncertainty of future movements of oceanic currents—in particular, patterns of sinking and upwelling—as well as the ability of plants and plankton to obtain CO2 through photosynthesis.Despite these uncertainties, we do know that carbon dioxide will continue to diffuse into the oceans and lead to increasing acidity and associated ecological impacts.FIGURE 16-2-1 Ocean Acidification. Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide contents have coincided with increasing amounts of oceanic CO2. As a result, oceans have become more acidic (lower pH)....FIGURE 16-2-2 A Coral Reef....Why are changes in the CO2 content of ocean water a problem for some ocean organisms? Get solution
2fs. Carbon Dioxide and the OceansWhite the absorption of CO2 may sound entirely fortuitous, it brings about the problem of acidification of the oceans. When CO2 is absorbed by water, it creates carbonic acid, and this has led to some acidification of the ocean waters. Figure 16-2-1 shows the changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide since 1960, along with amount of oceanic carbon dioxide and pH since the 1980s. There is a very close correspondence between oceanic and atmospheric levels. At the same time, the dissolved CO2 causes the water to have a greater acidity (lower pH).This can have deleterious effects on oceanic organisms with calcareous shells and exoskeletons, such as coral (Figure 16-2-2). As described earlier in this chapter, coral are small marine organisms with hard shells composed largely of calcium carbonate. But as oceans become more acidic, coral have a more difficult time accumulating calcium carbonate. This increased acidity has already caused a substantial reduction in the growth rate of corals in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, one of the world’s great natural wonders.We know with certainty that atmospheric carbon dioxide contents will continueto increase during this century and that some CO2 emissions will continueto diffuse into the oceans. But there is less certainty about whether the oceans will continue to absorb atmospheric contents at their current rate. Several factors are involved in this issue. The first is that greater atmosphere–ocean differences in the concentration of any particular gas increase the rate of transfer. In other words, an increase in atmospheric CO2 by itself would lead to greater diffusion into the oceans But counter to this is the fact that warmer waters are less capable of maintaining carbon dioxide, and oceanic surface temperatures will also be increasing. The situation is further muddled by the complexity and uncertainty of future movements of oceanic currents—in particular, patterns of sinking and upwelling—as well as the ability of plants and plankton to obtain CO2 through photosynthesis.Despite these uncertainties, we do know that carbon dioxide will continue to diffuse into the oceans and lead to increasing acidity and associated ecological impacts.FIGURE 16-2-1 Ocean Acidification. Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide contents have coincided with increasing amounts of oceanic CO2. As a result, oceans have become more acidic (lower pH)....FIGURE 16-2-2 A Coral Reef....Why are changes in the CO2 content of ocean water a problem for some ocean organisms? Get solution
