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OCEAN ACIDIFICATION is the process of seawater getting more acidic. CO2 is transferred between ocean, terrestrial biosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere. As discovered, ocean acidification is mainly because of the increasing of CO2
in the air/atmosphere.
The ocean absorbs about 30 percent of carbon dioxide that is released to the atmosphere. The amount of carbon dioxide has hugely increased in the most recent century due to the human's activities such as burning fossil, gasoline-power cars, and changing land use.
According to the data, "the global average atmospheric carbon dioxide in 2020 was 412.5 parts per million (ppm for short), setting a new record high amount (previous record 300 ppm) despite the economic slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic." (Lindsey)
412.5 ppm = 0.4125% atmosphere
Principle of Acidification
Principle of Acidification
When Carbon dioxide (CO2) and water molecules (H2O) meet together, carbon dioxide tends to dissolve into the water. which make the formula:
CO2 + H2 O
The combination of Carbon dioxide and water molecule is specifically called carbonic acid, which is H2 CO3
Found in soda and carbonated drinks
"H2 CO3 is a very weak acid. because it contains fewer hydrogen ions in its aqueous solution." (All Famous Faqs)
Weak bonds lead to the Bicarbonate Reaction and dissociate into Hydrogen ion H+ and bicarbonate ion (hydrogen carbonate) HCO3
H2CO3 = HCO3-1 + H+
H2CO3 = HCO3-1 + H+
As the image shown, HCO3-1 will keep dissociating, which make the final reaction
HCO3-1 = CO3-2 + H+
HCO3-1 = CO3-2 + H+
The formula of entire ocean acidification will be:
CO2 + H2 O <--> H2CO3<--> HCO3-1 + H+
CO2 + H2 O <--> H2CO3<--> HCO3-1 + H+
HCO3-1 <--> CO3-2 + H+
HCO3-1 <--> CO3-2 + H+
Surface Ocean pH Variations Over Time
Surface Ocean pH Variations Over Time
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