Ocean Acidification Case Study

Observe Figure 1 in the PDF attached to this assignment.

a. Name the label on the dependent variable axis:
Year
b. Name the label on the independent variable axis:
Carbon dioxide concentration (ppm)
c. Explain in your own words, what is the relationship between the years and the concentration of
CO2 in the ocean?
In the 200 plus years since the industrial revolution, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere has dramatically increased due to human activities. The ocean absorbs about 30% of the
carbon dioxide that is released in the atmosphere and so, as levels of atmospheric CO2 increase from
human activity, the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the ocean also increases.
d. In your opinion, do you think there is something we need to worry about? Explain.
Yes; ocean acidification. Because of human-driven increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,
there is now more CO2 dissolving into the ocean. As the ocean continues to absorb more, its pH
continues to decrease and the ocean becomes more acidic.

State in concise terms the problem being investigated.

The problem being investigated is the economical, sociological, and environmental impacts that ocean
acidification may have on the sustainability of all species on Earth, such as how shallow water marine
communities might change when susceptible organisms are removed due to this ocean acidification.

List one socio-economic connection that can be affected by ocean acidification. Explain how they are
connected.
Reduced harvest of species with high commercial value is one possible way in which ocean acidification
may have an impact on socio-economic connections. Nearly $4 billion was spent on US commercial
harvests from US waters and at-sea processing in 2007. Mollusks generated 19%, crustaceans 30%, and
finfish 50% of the total primary value.

Describe the details of any of the experimental methods apparently used in this study.
Almost all studies on how increased ocean acidity may affect marine ecosystems has been in vitro,
short-term, rapid perturbation experiments on isolated elements of the ecosystem. Between 18 April
and 9 May 2007, surface and bottom water samples were regularly taken for measurements of the
spatial and temporal variability in pH, and total alkalinity and salinity in various weather conditions.

Describe any pertinent results that originate from the study.

Marine scientists found that along gradients of normal pH to lowered pH, typical rocky shore
communities with abundant calcareous organisms shifted to communities lacking scleractinian corals
with significant reductions in sea urchin and coralline algal abundance. They also found that sea-grass
production was highest in an area at mean pH of 7.6 where coralline algal biomass was significantly
reduced and gastropod shells were dissolving due to periods of carbonate sub-saturation. The species
populating the vent sites comprise a suite of organisms that are resilient to naturally high concentrations
of carbon dioxide and indicate that ocean acidification may benefit highly invasive non-native algal
species.

What specific conclusions can you draw from this study? For whom (potential users) may the finding of
these research studies be important or relevant?
To conclude, there has been much focus in the ocean science community on studying the potential
impacts of ocean acidification in the last decade. Because sustained efforts to monitor ocean
acidification worldwide are only beginning, it is currently impossible to predict exactly how ocean
acidification impacts will cascade throughout the marine food web and affect the overall structure of
marine ecosystems. With the pace of ocean acidification accelerating, the findings of research studies
such as this will be useful to scientists, resource managers, and policymakers who recognize the urgent
need to strengthen the science as a basis for sound decision making and action.

Is this your first time you hear about sustainability?

No.