Emily+Briere

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Background: ** Through analysis of CO2 preserved in [|ice cores], we have deduced that, for more than 600,000 years, the ocean had a pH of approximately 8.2 units (where a solution under 7 is considered acidic, over 7 is basic). Yet in a mere 200 years, starting around the time of the Industrial Revolution, the pH of the ocean [|has dropped 0.1 units]. While this may not seem like a lot, it is in fact a 30% increase in acidity. The situation is only worsening, and rapidly. Oceans are now absorbing more than [|79 million tons] of CO2 a day, an enormous rate which is climbing continuously. By the end of the century, projections by the [|International Panel on Climate Change] predict that the ocean’s pH could [|drop as low as 7.8], creating a 150 percent increase in acidity since the pre-industrial era. Coined originally in 2003 by Caldeira in the journal //Nature//, the term “[|ocean acidification]” means precisely what it seems. Our ocean's purity is being dissolved by the gaseous toxins we release everyday, and is thus becoming an elusive and eventual death trap to all of its inhabitants.

Famous worldwide, Henry’s Law (1803) states that:  “//At a constant temperature, the amount of a given gas dissolved in a given type and volume of liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas in equilibrium with that liquid.”// Carbon dioxide follows Henry’s Law obediently. An increase in the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere yields directly an increase in the amount of CO2 absorbed by the ocean. Due mostly to the burning of fossil fuels, CO2 levels have risen from pre-industrial values of [|280ppm to about 380ppm] today. Subsequently, ocean absorbtion rates of CO2 have reached all time highs, and we find ourselves faced with the consequential effects of ocean acidification. Like a global vacuum, the ocean is absorbing the mess of the human race. The increased uptake of [|anthropogenic carbon dioxide] by the ocean results in a decrease of the ocean’s pH levels. This process of ocean acidification can be illustrated by the following equation: CO2 + H2O → H2CO3-  As the carbon dioxide (CO2), that is released from facturies and such, dissolves in water (H2O), the resulting reaction forms carbonic acid ([|H2CO3]). H2CO3 ↔ H+ + HCO3- Prompted by its weak nature, the acid readily releases a positive ion (H+) — whose acidity contributes to the on-going decrease in the ocean’s pH — in addition to a negatively charged inorganic carbon ion (C-). Having been liberated recently from the Carbonic Acid, the acidic hydrogen ions become a threat to the ocean’s chemistry in more than one dimension.
 * The Chemistry of Ocean Acidification: **

**The Obstruction of Carbonate Chemistry: **  This is the [|carbonate system] at work. The carbonate system is delicately balanced, and profoundly affected by the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere, whose prevalence lowers the availability of CO3-2 in the oceans and alters the ration of carbonate and bicarbonate ions. CO2 indirectly obstructs the system in which calcium carbonate forms. [|Calcium carbonate]—the hard shell found on the crustacean coral—is constructed of limestone and shells, the product of a reaction between Ca+2 and CO3-2. However, this process can easily be disrupted when an eager proton—that which was abandoned by the carbonic acid—interferes. Extremely electropositive, the cation (proton) proves to be a stronger attraction than the calcium, preventing the two molecules from coming together, and generating HCO3--a bicarbonate anion--rather than the desired [|CaCO3]. The effect of this simple reduction of CO3-2 is more significant than frequently recognized.

**The First to Feel the Change: ** [|Coral reef], which resembles rock, is in truth made up of millions of tiny anemone-like creatures. These [|polyps]  use  their tentacles to grab small bits of food while continuously secreting the shells which serve as their anchor. The death of these animals is what creates the beautiful coral reefs. However according to scientists, the tireless work of the polyps will crumble under the acidity of the corrosive waters. <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The changing pH in the ocean drives increasingly lower the saturation levels of calcium carbonate. Therefore it is understandable that the most vulnerable creatures are those who depend routinely on the use of calcium carbonate as the basic building block for their hard structures—specifically, coral. The increased acidity in oceans has devastated coral, reducing rapidly the distribution of regions with optimal conditions under which the fragile organisms can live in. The phennomenon has even been referred to as “[|Osteoperosis under the Sea]”. The carbonic acid formed when CO2 combines with water is the same ingredient that gives fizz to soft drinks. Similar to the effects of osteoperosis on human bones, this acidity will cause organisms’ [|exoskeletons] to grow thin and brittle until they dissolve. It has been predicted by scientists that unless the issue is addressed, all coral will be extinct in approximately 45 years. If “seeing is believing,” then [|Australia’s Great Barrier Reef] says it all. In a mere 15 years, there was an alarming 21 percent decline in growth exhibited in the world’s largest and oldest reef.

<span style="font-size: 160%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">**<span style="color: rgb(46,46,46);">The Global Impact: ** <span style="font-size: 70%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">If the reefs were to vanish, a chain reaction would wipe out numerous oceanic populations, leaving “[|dead zones]” devoid of life. THe Not only would the vast populations of aquatic life directly supported by reefs vanish, but islands would suffer as well. Specifically, those islands founded on coral sediment would crumble in the more acidic seas. Forming a barrier between land and the ocean, the reef also houses mangroves, birds, and other wildlife. Obviously, there is a wide range of species in danger <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> — both an imminent and direct danger, but also a secondary danger resulting from cascading changes in sea life. For example, the absence of microscopic organisms such as[| plankton] could upset the entire oceanic [|food chain], since many whales and fish, ranging in size from tiny fish to the great Blue whale (a mammal)—depend on such creatures to survive. In fact, plankton are helpful in preventing the concentration of atmospheric CO2 from climbing by storing it in their bodies. Thus, whenever the creatures who eat plankton die off and decompose, additional CO2 is released, further exacerbating our problems. In summary, the impact of ocean acidification resembles a game of dominos. Once acidification has taken down even one species, ripples of secondary destruction could travel both up and down the food chain, leaving behind a shamble of dead and struggling organisms. These are grave effects since an unbalanced ecosystem is very hard to restore back to its normal and stable state.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">While pessimists might argue that it’s “too late” to implement useful changes, every effort made will nonetheless slow down the eventual catastrophe coming at us full throttle (much like an ocean-liner). Obviously, an ocean liner cannot be stopped by a weak force. Similarly, it would take a 180 degree turn in global society’s use of fossil fuels to stop oceanic acidification. And, even then, it would take decades before we saw the amount of CO2 and acidity in oceans actually start to decline. [|The massive influx of industrial emissions] essentially gave the ocean no time to adjust, much like an “extreme shock.” Whereas the ocean’s [|natural buffering process] occurs over a period of 20,000 years, we are pouring in CO2 at 50 times that rate, completely overwhelming the natural process. Still, USC’s Hutchins has hope, and states “The marine ecosystem will adapt. Life may be different, but it will go on.” So what’s the verdict? Not <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">even the brightest scientists can say with absolute certainty, but there is one thing we do know for sure: the [|chemistry of the entire ocean is shifting] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">, imperiling coral reefs, marine creatures, etc. and it will continue to do so unless we take action.
 * <span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Hope for the Future? Scientists Say… **

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Want to learn more? Try this interactive website! Select “Ocean Regions” and then zoom in on areas of interest to see how coral bleaching and rising sea levels are taking a toll on areas all around the world! <span style="display: block; font-size: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;"><span style="display: block; font-size: 83%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Are you ready for a bigger challenge? Ocean Acidification is a consequence of the high concentration of CO2 emissions. The best way to solve a problem is to go to the source! Take on the role as President of European nations, and implement policies in order to help save our world! [|****http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/hottopics/climatechange/climate_challenge/index_1.shtml****] Emily:** Text, Research, Putting into Format, MLA citations, Finding Sources
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 * <span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(0,255,194); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Attributions:
 * Nikolaj:** Finding Pictures, Editing Page, Mapping Out Format, Research, Portions of Text

**<span style="display: block; font-size: 180%; color: rgb(0,140,255); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: center;">Bibliography ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: left;">Biello, David. "Ocean Acidification Hits Great Barrier Reef." __Ocean Acidification Hits__ __Great Barrier Reef__ (2009): 1-1. __Www.sciam.com__. 1 Jan. 2009. Scientific American Inc. 23 Mar. 2009 <http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=ocean-acidification-hits-great-barrier-reef>. Black, Richard. __Natural__ __Lab__ __Shows__ __Sea____'s Acid Path__. __Science & Environment__. 8 June 2008. BBC NEWS. 10 Mar. 2009 <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7437862.stm>.

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White, Heppel. "Ocean Acidification." __Australian Online Coastal Information__. Geoscience Australia. 20 Mar. 2009 <http://www.ozcoasts.org.au/indicators/ocean_acid.jsp>.