Ocean Acidification Lab

Supplies

• beakers, cups, or open containers (two per student)
• vinegar
• water
• seashells (many kinds)
• camera (optional)

Instructions

1. Have the students find shells themselves on the beach

2. Have one cup of water and one cup of vinegar (acid) per student (or team)

3. Place shells in the cups and let sit

4. Observe and take pictures

5. Let sit for 24 hours

6. Observe the next day

Source: http://moocs.southampton.ac.uk/oceans/2014/11/19/ocean-acidification-an-experiment-to-try-at-home/

Points to Emphasize and Discuss

• What is ocean acidification?
• Which solution did more harm to the shells?
• How could this represent our oceans?
• What else might be affected by ocean acidification? (crabs, coral, etc)
• What causes ocean acidification?

For more information on this lab visit:

http://moocs.southampton.ac.uk/oceans/2014/11/19/ocean-acidification-an-experiment-to-try-at-home/