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Vedanth P
Dublin High School
May 22, 2024
Over 70% of our planet’s surface is covered in vast ocean water, containing mass forms of life and archaea. Little is known however, about the silent but profound transformation that our oceans are going through. Ocean acidification is overshadowed by other environmental issues but is still significant nonetheless, posing a threat to marine life and human livelihoods.
Ocean acidification occurs when carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves into the ocean’s seawater, producing carbonic acid. Carbonic acid increases the ocean’s acidity over time by releasing hydrogen and bicarbonate ions. Hydrogen ions have a direct relationship with the acidity of seawater, therefore as the number of hydrogen ions in the ocean increases, so does the acidity of seawater. Humans are partially responsible for the increased acidification of the ocean because since the industrial revolution, the ocean has absorbed about one-third of human-produced carbon dioxide, leading to a massive increase of 30% in ocean acidity. This shift in pH level has unintended consequences on marine biodiversity and disrupts balance among ecosystems.
The most significant impact of this change is on marine organisms such as corals, mollusks, and different plankton species. These creatures heavily rely on their calcium carbonate to form their shells and skeletons, a feature vital to their survival. The increased acidity in their habitats dissolves calcium carbonate which subsequently threatens their survival. Coral reefs are especially susceptible to these changes as well as the ecosystems they foster within them. Ocean acidification also significantly impacts fish physiology as well as behavior, which potentially has long lasting effects on entire food webs. Fish larvae, for instance, when exposed to higher acidity levels struggle to navigate and avoid predators which reduces their survival rates.
The impact that ocean acidification has on human beings is consequential as well, as many coastal communities rely heavily on seafood as a primary source of food and livelihood. Since many keystone species are threatened by the rising pH in seawaters, Their populations decline which leads to reduced catches for fisheries. This drastic change can disrupt local economies and lead to higher prices for consumers worldwide due to the low supply with high demand for seafood.
Addressing this crisis requires immediate action, beginning with efforts put into reducing carbon emissions. Transitioning to renewable energy and enhancing energy efficiency can significantly cut down carbon emissions, which is the root source of ocean acidification. Additionally, protecting and restoring marine ecosystems can help absorb carbon dioxide and mitigate against acidification.
Ocean acidification is another significant and complex challenge that we as a species are faced with, however with collective effort, we can buffer its impacts and preserve the health of our planet, starting with our oceans.
Works Cited
“Ocean Acidification.” The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), 1 June 2023, ioos.noaa.gov/project/ocean-acidification/#:~:text=Acid%20eats%20away%20at%20calcium,and%20fragile%2C%20it%20is%20transparent.
EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov/ocean-acidification/effects-ocean-and-coastal-acidification-ecosystems.Accessed 23 May 2024.
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