Day 3
Sea Change
Sea Change
Sometimes, the impacts of global climate change are not visible to the human eye. Understanding the chemical changes in the ocean can help us unlock potential new solutions for combating climate change and help us address how changes in the ocean’s chemistry affect marine organisms.
Supplies You Will Need Today
Several clear cups or jars
pH indicator – you can make your own pH indicator using purple cabbage juice (boil red cabbage leaves (ah, the sweet smell of science), filter to remove the pieces of cabbage and collect the filtered “cabbage juice” in a clean glass, and let it cool. This filtered “juice” is your pH indicator)
Baking soda
Vinegar
Different household items to test acidity or alkalinity of: orange juice, milk, dish soap, etc…
Teaspoon and tablespoon
Straw
2 small clear cups or jars (you want to be able to view the reactions to compare to your hypothesis)
Tap water
Tums (this will be your calcium carbonate animal)
Shells, Egg shells, chalk, or chicken bones for additional experimental observations
Note to Parents: Skip the Ads!
Many of the videos you will be viewing are on YouTube, and unfortunately, these often start with ads. Just have your young scientists click the "Skip" button as they are able to move straight to the video.
Get up to Speed!
What is Ocean Acidification
A cartoon crash course on ocean acidification by illustrator, Jim Toomey. (2 mins)
The Acid Test
People have heard about global warming for decades, but it's only over the past five years that experts really understood that the carbon dioxide is causing a problem for the oceans as well. (3 mins)
The Other Carbon Dioxide Problem
Global warming is a known problem from CO2 emissions. Changes in seawater chemistry are also occurring as a result of these emissions throughout the world's oceans. This change in the ocean's chemistry will have profound effects on life in the ocean, and those who depend on it.(4 mins)
Ocean as a Lab
Francisco Chavez studies the impacts of air sea exchange of CO2 on processes like ocean acidification off of Peru. Check out how he uses the ocean as his laboratory. (4 mins)
Dive a little Deeper
Ocean's Recipe for Success
Join Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary educator Nicole Harris, as she walks you through this hands-on activity that highlights how carbon dioxide can alter the chemistry of water right in front of your eyes! You will need your supplies for this one!
If you Want to Learn more...
Ocean Acidification in Washington State
Want to understand the basics of ocean acidification and some of its impacts around Washington State? This one-pager provides a great overview!
Ocean Acidification in a Clamshell
Check out another great NOAA resource outlining what you need to know about ocean acidification.
If You want to Do More...
Coastal Acidification
How are our actions on land contributing to altering the chemistry of the water off our coasts? Try out this interactive online model that highlights some of these human impacts.
