SEMESTER 3: SOCIOLOGY

TOPIC:
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION, CAUSES AND CONCERN
-A CRITICAL REVIEW

SUBMITTED TO:
Mrs. Vrinda Mohan
Kirit P. Mehta School of Law

SUBMITTED BY:
AKSHAT MISHRA
DIVISION A ROLL NO. – A062

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 INTRODUCTION
Since the industrial revolution, or more than 200 years ago, the burning of fossil
fuels and changes in land use have led to a rise in the atmospheric concentration of
carbon dioxide (CO2). About 30% of the CO2 that is emitted into the atmosphere
is absorbed by the ocean, and as atmospheric CO2 levels rise, so do ocean CO2
levels.
The concentration of hydrogen ions increases as a result of a series of chemical
processes that take place when CO2 is absorbed by saltwater. The seawater's
acidity rises as a result, and carbonate ions become significantly less common.
Carbonate ions are crucial components of many different kinds of formations,
including the skeletons of coral and seashells. For calcifying animals including
oysters, clams, sea urchins, shallow water corals, deep sea corals, and calcareous
plankton, decreases in carbonate ions can make constructing and maintaining shells
and other calcium carbonate structures challenging.
The behavior of creatures that do not produce calcium can also be impacted by
these changes in ocean chemistry. More acidic conditions reduce a fish's capacity
to detect predators. When these species are in danger, the entire food chain might
be in danger as well.
The whole world's seas, especially the estuaries and streams along the coast, are
being affected by ocean acidification. People all across the world rely on seafood
from the ocean as their main source of nutrition, and fish and shellfish are
important to many economies.

 HOW CARBON DIOXIDE AFFECTS SEAWATER?

Seawater absorbs carbon dioxide, which is present naturally in the

atmosphere. Carbonic acid is created when water and carbon
dioxide mix.
More carbon dioxide is evaporating into the ocean as a result of
human-driven increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide
concentrations. Currently, the ocean has an average pH of 8.1,
which is basic (or alkaline), but when more CO2 is absorbed, the
pH drops and the ocean becoming more acidic.

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 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The secondary research methodology has been used to make this

paper. It involves the summary, collation and synthesis of existing
research.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

As the world has progressed in the past years, industrial revolution

has played a significant role in it. Setting up of factories and
industries has led to a significant rise in levels of pollution.
A huge reason in rise of carbon dioxide is the amount of cars that
have come on the roads. The author also wants to spend awareness
about coral life and how bad acidification is for the coral life. The
foremost reason behind choosing this topic is the damage that is
being done to the water organisms. Shark finning and dying of
coral reefs are some of the biggest issues that is caused due to
ocean acidification.

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 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

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RANCE (2022) explains what is ocean acidification, the reasons due to
which ocean acidification is caused, and how does it affect human life and
coral life. Dr. Hall also discussed the importance of ecosystem restoration in
combating the harmful effects of ocean acidification. Her laboratory is
working to understand how seagrass and mangrove ecosystems take up
excess carbon dioxide. It also explains how ocean acidification can be
prevented, that is, by reducing the fossil fuel consumptions.

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BÄRBEL HÖNISCH ANDY RIDGWELLDANIELA N.
SCHMIDTELLEN THOMASSAMANTHA J. GIBBSAPPY
SLUIJSRICHARD ZEEBELEE KUMPROWAN C.
MARTINDALE[...]BRANWEN WILLIAMS (2012) examines the history
of acids in oceans and environment. It explains how human activities
produce 50 times more CO2 in atmosphere than natural resources and then
the oceans absorb it. Looks at the past records of the consequences, other
instances of ocean acidification in geologic history caused by large natural
events, such as volcanism, may help predict the oceans' response to
contemporary CO2 levels.

1
Rance, L. (2022, August 30). Changing Tides: How Does Ocean Acidification Affect Marine Life? |
Earth.Org. Earth.Org. https://earth.org/how-does-ocean-acidification-affect-marine-life.
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Hönisch, B., Ridgwell, A., Schmidt, D. N., Thomas, E., Gibbs, S. J., Sluijs, A., ... & Williams, B. (2012). The
geological record of ocean acidification. science, 335(6072), 1058-1063.

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Doney, Scott C., Victoria J. Fabry, Richard A. Feely, and Joan A. Kleypa
(2009) examines the rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), primarily from
human fossil fuel combustion, reduces ocean pH which causes wholesale shifts in
seawater carbonate chemistry. It also puts out that the process of ocean
acidification is well documented in field data, and the rate will accelerate over this
century unless future CO2 emissions are curbed dramatically. Many calcifying
species exhibit reduced calcification and growth rates in laboratory experiments
under high-CO2 conditions.
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John M. Guinotte, Victoria J. Fabry (2008) explains how ocean acidification is
rapidly changing the carbonate system of the world oceans. It also explains about
the past extension events which have majorly been caused due to acidification. It
has a huge effect on coral reefs and shells. It suggests that If we are to prevent the
most detrimental impacts of human-induced climate change, such as ocean
acidification, political will and considerable large-scale investment in clean energy
technology are necessary.
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Connell, S. D., Doubleday, Z. A., Hamlyn, S. B., Foster, N. R., Harley, C. D.,
Helmuth, B., ... & Russell elaborates on how calcification of oceans due to its
acidification can turn out to be a prosperous business opportunity. The author
found that any direct negative impacts may be outweighed by the substantial,
indirect favorable influence that ocean acidification may have on the abundance of
certain calcifying herbivores. This conclusion emphasizes the need of
understanding the ecological mechanisms that mitigate the damaging consequences
of environmental change.

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Doney, S. C., Fabry, V. J., Feely, R. A., & Kleypas, J. A. (2009). Ocean acidification: the other CO2
problem. Annual review of marine science, 1, 169-192.
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Guinotte, J. M., & Fabry, V. J. (2008). Ocean acidification and its potential effects on marine
ecosystems. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1134(1), 320-342.
5
Connell, S. D., Doubleday, Z. A., Hamlyn, S. B., Foster, N. R., Harley, C. D., Helmuth, B., ... & Russell,
B. D. (2017). How ocean acidification can benefit calcifies. Current Biology, 27(3), R95-R96.

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Ihsan, Y. N., Purba, N. P., Faizal, I., Anya, A., Mulyani, P. G., & Anwar, S.
K. (2022) is a research about how the oceans of Indonesia got better in the
coronavirus pandemic when the world was at a halt. The covid-19 pandemic has
had an enormous impact on Indonesia's oceans, which can be seen from the
recovery of the shallow ecosystem, noise reduction in the ocean, and pollution
reduction. The fact is that ocean health is intimately tied to human health and
regular monitoring is needed to see changes in the ecosystem. It puts out that after
the pandemic is over, the government should focus on improving the environment.
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Munday, P. L., Donelson, J. M., Dixson, D. L., & Endo, G. G. (2009) is a
scientific research that explains the effect of ocean acidification on the early life of
a tropical marine fish. The research is limited as very little is known about how
marine fishes and other non-calcifying animals will respond to the levels of
dissolved CO2. The most common prediction is that ocean acidification could
affect individual performance, especially during the early life stages of an animal.
Small increases in temperature may also reduce the survival rate of embryos.
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Brad Ack (2022) elaborates that Ocean Visions, working with experts from
around the globe, developed a series of technology roadmaps that assess the
current state of various technologies that could help reduce carbon. The roadmaps
are not just about science and engineering challenges; they also include critical
policy, governance, economic, and social challenges. Climate and ocean policy
must be based on credible and rigorous science. Solutions to this ocean-climate
crisis are possible, if we add carbon removal as a tool in our climate toolbox. With
intensified focus, expanded effort, we can clean up the CO₂ pollution and
regenerate our ocean and our climate.

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Ihsan, Y. N., Purba, N. P., Faizal, I., Anya, A., Mulyani, P. G., & Anwar, S. K. (2022). IMPACT OF THE
PANDEMIC COVID-19 TO THE INDONESIA SEAS. Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites, 40(1), 30-36.
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Munday, P. L., Donelson, J. M., Dixson, D. L., & Endo, G. G. (2009). Effects of ocean acidification on the
early life history of a tropical marine fish. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences,
276(1671), 3275-3283.
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How to Reverse the Ocean-Climate Crisis | The Pew Charitable Trusts. (2022, February 8). How to
Reverse the Ocean-Climate Crisis | The Pew Charitable Trusts?
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/trend/archive/winter-2022/how-to-reverse-the-ocean-climate-crisis

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 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

1. TO STUDY THE IMPACT OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ON

ENVIRONMENT AND ITS CAUSES.

2. TO STUDY OCEAN ACIDIFICATION DURING PANDEMIC.

SOURCES OF DATA

Secondary source of data has been used in the research.

Secondary data is data collected by any party other than the researcher,
including administrative data from programs, geodata from specialized
sources, and census or other population data from governments.

HYPOTHESIS

Ocean acidification is a growing problem in today’s world. Growing

emissions of CO2 due to human activities have resulted in a disrupted coral
ecosystem. Government policy changes and change is technology will have
a very effective role to play in curbing ocean acidification.

LIMITATIONS

The research is limited as the topic for research does not allow a primary
research and surveys as it requires a lot of resources.
Not a lot of existing articles were available to refer to as most of the
researches that have been done, are scientific and not very helpful from a
sociological point of view.

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 OCEAN ACIDIFICATION IN MODERN TIMES, PRE
AND POST PANDEMIC EFFECTS.

OBJECTIVE 1- TO STUDY THE IMPACT OF OCEAN

ACIDIFICATION ON ENVIRONMENT AND ITS CAUSES.

A large amount of the CO2 that humans put into the air is taken up by the
oceans. This could be bad for organisms that make shells. Human actions are
adding more CO2 to the air, which affects not only the climate but also the
chemistry of the ocean waters. Since about 1850, when people started
putting CO2 into the air, the oceans have taken in between a third and half of
that CO2. This has slowed down how quickly the climate is changing. When
CO2 gets into seawater, it makes the water more acidic. Since about 1850,
the oceans have become 26% more acidic, which is about 10 times faster
than any other time in the last 55 million years. Chemical reactions can
make it hard for marine organisms like coral and some plankton to make
shells and skeletons, and shells that are already there are more likely to
dissolve. Since this is a very new field of study, we don't know how much
acidification is already affecting organisms that make calcium carbonate.
Some organisms may be more sensitive than others, based on what we know
so far. The ability of organisms that make calcium carbonate to adapt will
depend on how fast acidification happens. The effects of acidification will
spread up the food chain and affect things like fishing, aquaculture, and
tourism, which are all important to the economy. There are risks from ocean
acidification wherever there are organisms in the sea that make calcium
carbonate.

 What is ocean acidification?

According to Causes of climate change, human activities result in the
emission of CO2 into the atmosphere, which causes atmospheric warming
and climate change. The seas take in between a third and half of the CO2
that humans produce into the atmosphere. This has a direct chemical impact
on saltwater, which we refer to as ocean acidification, as well as slowing the
pace of atmospheric warming and climate change.

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 What are the major effects of ocean acidification?
The major effects of ocean acidification can be broadly classified under two
heads. They are as follows:

1. EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ON MARINE ORGANISMS AND

ECOSYSTEMS-
Ocean acidification lowers seawater carbonate. It becomes harder for coral and
certain plankton to develop shells and skeletons, and existing shells may
disintegrate.
The pH of saltwater is very variable, and an organism may adapt to changes during
its lifespan. The danger of ocean acidification arises from long-term exposure to
decreased pH levels. Rapid acidification will affect calcifying species' adaptability.
Ocean acidification affects animals differently. Higher CO2 concentrations in the
water may boost algae and seagrass photosynthetic and growth rates. Acidification
harms mollusks, corals, and certain plankton. These creatures' shells and bones
may weaken. In coral reefs, this may increase storm damage and impede recovery.
Ocean acidification may affect marine animals' growth, development, abundance,
and survival. Most young species are more fragile. Juvenile fish may have
problems finding a home.
Despite positive and negative reactions from marine groups, research shows ocean
acidification will impact ocean ecosystems this century. These changes may be
compounded by other climate-related risks, such as ocean deoxygenation, which is
already hurting marine life in certain locations.

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2. EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ON HUMAN SOCIETIES-
Human societies depend on marine ecosystems' commodities and services; thus
changes will affect them. Significant revenue drops, job losses, and other indirect
economic expenses might result.

Socioeconomic implications of declining ecological services include:

 Ocean acidification threatens food security. Commercially and ecologically

significant marine species may behave differently. Oysters and mussels are
delicate mollusks. By 2100, yearly worldwide costs of mollusk loss from ocean
acidification might exceed $100 billion assuming business-as-usual (RCP8.5)
CO2 emissions.

 Coral reefs safeguard island nations' sole livable land from storm surges and
storms. This avoids loss of life, property damage, and erosion, and is worth $9
billion every year.

 Ocean acidification's effects on marine habitats might hurt tourism (e.g. coral
reefs). The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia receives 1.9 million
visitors annually and produces A$5.4 billion.

 As ocean acidification rises, the ocean's ability to absorb CO2 declines. Acidic
oceans reduce climate change mitigation.

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3. HOW CAN OCEAN ACIDIFICATION BE CONTROLLED?
Reducing global greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) is the ultimate solution
to ocean acidification, but certain tough decisions and actions can help us
prepare.

Locally, the following policy and management approaches can help reduce the
effects of additional stresses and assist marine ecosystems adapt to changing
conditions-

1.Monitoring and managing runoff and contaminants like fertilizers to improve

water quality.

2.Regulating catches to minimize overfishing and implementing long-term

bycatch reduction initiatives.

3.Implementing new technology varies per industry. In aquaculture, new

forecasting techniques account for seasonal upwelling that bring low pH
seawater to the top and trigger shellfish die-offs.

4.Increase coastal protection, reduce sediment loading, and use marine spatial
planning for sustainable habitat management.

4. Protect fragile marine habitats.

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OBJECTIVE 2- TO STUDY OCEAN ACIDIFICATION IN PANDEMIC.

When the coronavirus pandemic hit the world, a significant reduction in the carbon
dioxide emissions were observed. A reduction of 7-8% in carbon dioxide
emissions was noticed in the half of 2020 itself as the main energy resources were
forced shut. The anthropogenic greenhouse effect is the slow, persistent warming
of Earth's surface owing to human-related greenhouse gas emissions, including
land use change and fossil fuel combustion. Ocean acidification is a secondary
problem directly tied to atmospheric CO2 levels. Oceans are natural carbon sinks
that absorb CO2 in the form of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), convert it to
dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and store it in the deep ocean, where it can
remain for thousands of years.
Now that the pollution and carbon levels have come back to the pre pandemic
times, no significant changes in the ocean acidification levels have been noticed.
However, the shallow Gulf of Mannar (GoM) has improved. Comparing pre-
lockdown and post-lockdown measurements, water turbidity decreased
(cloudiness). Reduced water turbidity in the GoM indicates the industrial closure
and lower emission of inorganic, ionized waste. The GoM's net gain in fish
numbers is connected with the lack of harmful fishing practises like trap fishing
and shore seining in coral reef zones.
Increased fish biomass was another finding in aquatic habitats, notably the GoM.
Another probable explanation for this, aside from the decrease in damaging fishing
practises during the industrial closure, has to do with the decline in echinoderm
recruitment as a result of acidifying waters. In addition to eating algae,
echinoderms also eat kelp. Since they provide cover from predators, a fertile
environment in which entire populations may thrive, and protection from the
elements, kelp forests are essential habitats for hundreds of fish species. 9

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Rizvi, A., Forsythe, M., Steen, J., Bhavsar, D., & Mardon, A. A. (2021). How have reductions in global
carbon dioxide emissions during the COVID-19 pandemic influenced aquatic ecosystems through ocean
acidification. Academia Letters, 2.

CONCLUSION AND FINDINGS

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In this paper we have studied about the negative effects that ocean acidification has
on coastal ecosystem and as well as human societies, it is also important to
understand that ocean acidification is a silent killer of marine ecosystem. It effects
the fishes and as well as the coral structure. Only government policy changes and
upgradation of ocean cleaning technologies can have an impactful effect on the
rapid increase of ocean acidification.
This study also finds that the lockdown did not have any significant effect on the
ocean acidification, but it did improve the quality of water.
What can help the oceans is not a lockdown once in many years but a lockdown or
halt of energy resources which produce CO2 every year which is only possible
through government policy changes.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Ocean acidification and its effects | CoastAdapt. (n.d.). Ocean Acidification and Its Effects | CoastAdapt.
Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://coastadapt.com.au/ocean-acidification-and-its-effects

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