Ocean

Acidification
Carol Tibbs
What is Carbonic Acid?
● A chemical process involving water and CO2
● Forms in ocean water from atmosphere
● It forms naturally in ocean and caves
(Silvana)
What it effects: Carbon Transfer
● The Carbon Cycle maintains CO2 levels
● CO2 is absorbed via photosynthesis/ocean
● More carbon leads to more heat
● More carbon leads to acidic waters
● Photosynthesis is disrupted from acidic waters
● No photosynthesis leads to more acid
Description of the
Oceanic Carbon
Cycle - (NOAA)
What it effects: Marine Life
● Carbonic Acid diminishes carbonate in shells
● Lower pH weakens coral reef structures
● Toxin Biomagnification buildup in larger creatures
● Higher acidity affects low adaptability creatures.
(Jolly Breeze)
What it effects: Coastal Communities
● Less tourism for reefs
● More toxins being consumed from fish
● Less harvesting of shelled seafood
● Algae blooms from low pH
(EPA)
Works Cited
● Birchenough, Silvana NR, et al. Schematic Diagram of Ocean Acidification the
Reaction Between ..., www.researchgate.net/figure/Schematic-diagram-of-
ocean-acidification-The-reaction-between-dissolved-carbon-
dioxide_fig1_319405916. Accessed 8 Mar. 2024.
● “Effects of Ocean and Coastal Acidification on Ecosystems.” EPA,
Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov/ocean-acidification/effects-
ocean-and-coastal-acidification-ecosystems. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.
● “Ocean Acidification: An All around Bad Time.” Jolly Breeze, 22 June 2023,
jollybreeze.com/2023/06/21/ocean-acidification-an-all-around-bad-time/.