WHAT IS OCEAN ACIDIFICATION?
Ocean acidification is the significant decrease in the pH of ocean water due to absorption of CO2 that is released in the atmosphere. It is sometimes called “climate change’s equally harmful twin” and has hazardous effects on marine life.
CAUSES:
1. Burning of fossil fuels:
Carbon dioxide is released due to burning of fossil fuels via car emissions, factories and industrial gas emission as the production of electricity and other processes involves the burning of coal and gas.
This increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon and other atmospheric gases find entry into the sea through acidic rainfalls or even direct dissolving into the water.
2. Change in land use:
One primary cause is deforestation (i.e., clearing vast forest areas) due to human intervention.
The chemical fertilizers and pesticides that are used for agriculture stay in the topsoil. When the topsoil is eroded due to natural causes, the chemicals are washed away and reach the sea in its due course. This results in the increase of CO2 in the ocean waters.
3. Death of marine species:
When sea organisms die on the sea beds, their remains pile up and form corals, which consist of carbons. Also, these organisms release calcium into the water. These compounds have a far-reaching detrimental impact on the composition of the water as they add acidity.
4. Change in land use:
The ocean has become a possible site for waste disposal by the domestic and industrial crowd. They usually contain toxic liquid wastes that directly mix with water. The chemicals and acids usually change the hydronium concentration in water, resulting in a decrease in its pH.
5. Industrialization:
Countries or cities that have embraced industrialization pose dangerous implications for the environment.
Their existence can only mean that there is increased carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere, which, when absorbed into the water, the level of acidity increases.
Industries contribute to the emission of dangerous gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and many others, which later form acid rain dissolve in the oceans to create acidic conditions.
PERNICIOUS EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION:
1. Shell builders:
➤ Oysters, Corals and Mussels form their shells and skeletons from the carbonate and calcium present in water. As the ocean acidifies, the hydronium concentration increases and the carbonate combines with hydronium and results in lesser carbonate ions for formation of shells. Some species are predicted to grow 10 -25% less shells by the end of this century. ➤The pteropods — “sea butterflies” are a major food source for krills and whales and are threatened by ocean acidification. Their shells dissolve due to the hike in acidity of ocean waters. ➤Corals have started to erode at a minimalistic rate but they might be faster in a few decades. Larvaes of the coral species find it hard to settle down in coral reefs and fail to reach their adulthood. 2. Fishes:
➤The ability of a clown fish to predict its predator decreases. ➤Fishes come to equilibrium with the water and consume more carbonic acid. This changes the pH of the fish's blood. The change results in decreased efficiency in the fish’s metabolic activities.
➤Many marine species are badly affected due to this phenomenon-ocean acidification. But some species like the seaweeds and algae benefit from this.
➤The species that adapt to this condition like the zooplanktons are consumed by other organisms higher in the food chain, for example, the jellyfish. If the jelly fish adapts to the acidity, it might become more dominant in the sea and might be a problem to the others.
LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE:
Here are some effective yet simple solutions that we can follow to save fellow residents of mother earth. 1. Geo engineering: ➤It's possible that we will develop technologies that can help us reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide or the acidity of the ocean more quickly or without needing to cut carbon emissions very drastically. 2. Cut carbon emissions: ➤We can conserve energy by following the 3R’S, turning off unused electrical gadgets and home appliances, walking or biking for short distances. Carpooling and usage of public transportation, supporting clean energy like solar, wind and geothermal. We can cut carbon emission by checking tire pressure which reduces gas consumption and our carbon footprints 3. Create awareness: ➤We must tell our parents, teachers ,colleagues, coworkers and friends! Many people don't know what's happening and educating them is very important. Tell them how acidification will affect the amazing ocean animals that provide food, income, and beauty to billions of people around the world.
Researched & Written By: Neha Priyadharshini
Edited By: Kobiga Seralathan