Running head: OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effects of Ocean Acidification in Long Beach, California 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Running head: OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

Abstract 

This studies main purpose is to find out the impact of ocean acidification towards the 

oceans areas near Long Beach, California. This study will present information in regards to how 

acidity of the ocean may be affecting areas where there is industrial climates and where there is 

none with a main focus on how it is affecting small sea creatures/ or structures such as oysters, 

mussels, plankton, and coral. In this Study there will be a two part presentation in which data 

will be presented and a experiment will be presented with background information regarding the 

topic.   

 
Running head: OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

Introduction 

As of most recently there has been a sensation with preserving what we consider to be 

essential like the place we live. Ever since the development of the Industrial Revolution, the pH 

(a chemistry scale that is used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution) of ocean 

waters has fallen, according to the NOAA (National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration) . 

Specifically what I am speaking on is ocean acidification, ocean acidification refers to the 

continuous rise of acidic levels within the waters of oceans. In regards to how this unfortunate is 

occurring, There is to consider the association of our atmosphere along with the oceans. To 

expand on this, according to the NOAA the rise of acidity happens because there is an ongoing 

inflation of carbon dioxide that is entering our atmosphere. This is worrisome because once 

carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere, some of it trickles down into the oceans, were it later 

enters the water cycle and once that occurs the oceans carbon dioxide converts into carbonic 

acid, according to the NOAA. This in itself is not harmful and is a natural part of our ecosystem. 

However, according to the NOAA, large amounts of carbonic acid can be hazardous. The after 

effects of this are happen to be devastating, for instance according to the NOAA at least 30% of 

the pH in our waters has been decreasing over the past centuries. This, in summary, presents an 

illustration of what is happening as the rate of ocean acidification begins to rise over the years. 

This rise of acidity happens to be the result of societies relying on industrial mechanics such as 

cars that use gas, and planes that exhaust fuel, and other machines that run via fossil fuels (a 

natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living 

organisms). 
Running head: OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

The tragedies that are occuring due to rising acidity are immense and seem to getting 

more hazardous as time goes by. One of the most dangerous and notable effects of acidification 

would have to be how it can destroy or in some cases alter ecosystems. Even the slightest change 

of pH, or a minor change in temperature, can amount to some ocean creatures to be wiped out of 

our ecosystem. For instance, according to the NOAA and the ACS Central Science Publication 

shellfish specifically have been nearly wiped out due to the effects of them not able to be in 

sustainable environments. According to a publication on PNAS ( Proceedings of the National 

Academy of Sciences), a peer-reviewed scientific journal, it states that Coral is another organism 

that is in danger and has had a hard experience surviving do to unsuitable conditions. As to the 

primary cause of these type of species endangerment is due to how these organisms react to the 

exposure of rising acidity, as in how the acidity complicates their primary functions as well as 

their development. So in closure, the rising acidity is believed to be slowly killing off aquatic 

species that we, as a whole, need to survive; this of course dives into their development process 

over time. In my project and experiments, I will research and analyze how ocean acidification is 

affecting Long Beach, California, and what solutions can help and prevent future acidity of the 

ocean. 

Throughout the current years, there have been many solutions that have been put on the 

table to stop the efforts of acidification damaging oceans. There have also been surprisingly 

many global movements trying to contribute to the cause, in fact, One researcher, George 

Waldbusser and his team have even proposed that the answer is in the sea itself, in context they 

suggested using creatures and or sea vegetation as filters. This solution would ultimately add iron 

into the ocean, which would lead to a rise in photosynthesis and create more phytoplankton to 
Running head: OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. Throughout my research efforts, I plan to find a reasonable 

solution and also plan to find effects of acidification locally. I will do this an attempt to show 

why and how we can protect and revive our waters to protect our ecosystem. 

Literature Review

Ocean Acidification :
● Ocean Acidification is a term used to describe consequential changes to the chemistry of
the ocean waters. It occurs when carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean and reacts
with seawater to produce acid. Although carbon dioxide naturally comes atmosphere
and is associated with oceans, the increased amounts of CO2 gas emitted into the
atmosphere, mainly as a result of human activities (e.g. burning fossil fuels), has been
increasing the amount of CO2 absorbed by the ocean, which results in seawater that is
more acidic.
pH :
● pH in other words ( Potential of Hydrogen ) The measure of acidity or alkalinity of water
soluble substances. The pH value chart is numerically ordered from 1 to 14, with that
being of 7 as the neutral point. Values that are below 7 indicate acidity which increases
as the number decreases, 1 being the most acidic. Values above 7 indicate alkalinity
which increases as the number increases, 14 being the most alkaline.
Carbon Dioxide / CO₂ :
● Formed by the combustion of fossil fuels (Natural gas, Petroleum, Coal, and Petroleum).
It is also released by living organisms during respiration.
Carbonic Acid :
● the acid, H2CO3, formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water, known in the form of
its salts and esters, the carbonates.
Fossil Fuels :
● any combustible organic material, as oil, coal, or natural gas, derived from the remains of
former life.
Iron :
● a ductile, malleable, silver-white metallic element, scarcely known in a pure condition,
but much used in its crude or impure carbon-containing forms for making tools
Photosynthesis :
● the complex process by which carbon dioxide, water, and certain inorganic salts are
converted into carbohydrates by green plants, algae, and certain bacteria, using energy
from the sun and chlorophyll.
Water Cycle :
Running head: OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

● the natural sequence through which water passes into the atmosphere as water vapor,
precipitates to earth in liquid or solid form, and ultimately returns to the atmosphere
through evaporation.
Eco System :
● a system, or a group of interconnected elements, formed by the interaction of a
community of organisms with their environment.
Domoic acid :
● produced by algae and accumulates in shellfish.

Bicarbonate :
● a salt of carbonic acid, containing the HCO 3−1 group; an acid carbonate, as sodium
bicarbonate, NaHCO3.
Calcium Carbonate :
● a white, crystalline, water-insoluble, tasteless powder, CaCO 3, occurring in nature in
various forms, as calcite, chalk, and limestone: used chiefly in dentifrices and polishes
and in the manufacture of lime and cement.
Hypercapnia :
● an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood

References

P. (2018, July 7). What is Ocean Acidification? Retrieved from

https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/WhatisOceanAcidification?
● In recent years, there have been near total failures of developing oysters in both aquaculture
facilities and natural ecosystems on the West Coast.
● ocean acidification has been shown to significantly reduce the ability of reef-building corals to
produce their skeletons.

E. (2018, June 28). What EPA is Doing to Address Ocean and Coastal Acidification. Retrieved
from
https://www.epa.gov/ocean-acidification/what-epa-doing-address-ocean-and-coastal-acidificatio
n
● EPA is working to address pollutants that are causing ocean and coastal acidification. These
pollutants include carbon dioxide emissions, acid-rain forming emissions and nutrients.

N. (2018, March 16). Reduce Ocean Acidification. Retrieved from

https://www.nrdc.org/issues/reduce-ocean-acidification
● Congress recently increased the funding for ocean acidification research and monitoring from $6
million to $10 million, but more money is needed.
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Gies, E. (2018, January 11). Like Oceans, Freshwater Is Also Acidifying. Retrieved from
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/like-oceans-freshwater-is-also-acidifying/

● The seas’ absorption of human-generated carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is well
documented, along with the harm it is causing ocean creatures like shellfish.

U. (2018, October 19). Study: Ocean Acidification May Reduce Sea Scallop Fisheries. Retrieved
from
https://news.virginia.edu/content/study-ocean-acidification-may-reduce-sea-scallop-fisher
ies

● Each year, fishermen harvest more than $500 million worth of Atlantic sea scallops from the
waters off the East Coast of the United States.

Buddies, S. (2012, January 26). Cabbage Chemistry--Finding Acids and Bases. Retrieved
from
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-cabbage-chemistry/

November 28th, 2. H. (2017, November 29). Oysters on acid: How the ocean's declining pH will
change the way we eat. Retrieved from
https://newfoodeconomy.org/ocean-acidification-oysters-dungeness-crabs/

Shell Dissolves in Seawater. (2018, May 18). Retrieved from

https://ocean.si.edu/planet-ocean/temperature-chemistry/shell-dissolves-seawater

Connelly, L., & Connelly, L. (2019, February 14). How will sea life adapt to climate change?
Grunion might show us clues, says new CSU Long Beach study. Retrieved from
https://www.presstelegram.com/2019/02/13/how-will-sea-life-will-adapt-to-climate-change-gr
union-might-show-us-clues-says-new-csu-long-beach-study/

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